Fred Glickstein

It is with a heavy heart but a light spirit that we announce the passing of Frederic Stephen Glickstein - or, as he was known to those who loved him, Fred or Freddie. Born on March 6, 1947, in sunny Miami, FL, Freddie brought joy and laughter to the world until his peaceful passing on August 28, 2023, in Evanston, IL.
Freddie was a man of many talents. He was a singer and songwriter, most notably with The Flock, a Chicago-based band that toured America and Europe in the swinging 60's and 70's. Eventually he took his love for words and music and transitioned into a career as a librarian for the Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka, IL, from 1984 through 2017. As Freddie might quip, "I went from rocking the stage to rocking the Dewey Decimal System."
Freddie was a dedicated family man, survived by his beloved wife, Bobbie, their children Jennifer (partner Rich Miller) and Jeremy (wife Samantha Turner) - and his pride and joy, grandson Max Turner-Glickstein. Freddie loved his family as much as he loved a good joke, and that's saying something.
Educated at Eugene Field School, Sullivan High School, Wright Junior College, and Illinois Teachers College, Freddie was a lifelong learner. He had a passion for reading and writing stream of consciousness poems and stories, and was always eager to learn new words and languages. He was also a food enthusiast, both in the kitchen and at the table. He enjoyed watching TV - especially comedy and cooking shows, Jeopardy, and the History Channel.
Freddie was a funny, interesting, and creative man. He had a knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary with his unique, weird, and witty sense of humor. He loved making others laugh and was always the life of the party. As one of his favorite comedians, Robin Williams, once said, "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." Freddie certainly never lost his spark.
Freddie's life was a song, filled with laughter, love, and a dash of the unexpected. He brought joy to everyone he met and left a lasting impression with his humor and creativity. As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his life - remembering him not with tears but with laughter, just as he would have wanted.
Fred Glickstein, you were a rock star, a librarian, a foodie, a joker, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend. You were a man who lived his life to the fullest - always with a joke on your lips and love in your heart. As we say goodbye, we remember the laughter, the music, and the love that you brought into our lives. You will be sorely missed, but your melodies will play on in our hearts.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to Hadley (formerly Hadley School for the Blind) in Winnetka, IL in Fred's memory.
He loved being of service as the school's librarian, providing the braille books and books-on-tape to the blind and visually impaired students all over the world.
https://hadley.edu/donate/support-hadley