Stifled sniffles and knowing chuckles filled the Lied Center Wednesday afternoon as hundreds of people gathered for a memorial for Robert Frederick, the former University athletics director and associate professor who died Friday after a bike accident.


Students, coworkers, friends and family spoke of their memories of Frederick as a back-drop displayed photos of Frederick and his home near Clinton Lake.


Peter Luckey, senior pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence, opened the ceremony by remembering Frederick as a gifted storyteller who loved to compete. He said it was only natural that Frederick’s friends and family felt shock and confusion after his sudden death.


“We still wish for one more story, one more race,” Luckey said.
 Luckey went on to praise Frederick’s integrity and said that Frederick’s donated organs had already been used to save the lives of three people.
 “It’s no surprise to any of us, your organs were in great shape,” Luckey said, making the crowd laugh.
 It was one of many references of Frederick’s dedication to health and fitness made throughout the afternoon, which also included video of him riding a bike and exercising.

David Ambler, former vice chancellor for student affairs, said if he were forced to describe Frederick in one word it would be “genuine.”


“There was not a false bone in his body,” Ambler said.
 Ambler also said Frederick died doing something that he enjoyed. 
“Like the cowboy who dies with his boots on, Bob’s death came in the saddle of what he liked to do best,” Ambler said.


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Memorial Service for Bob Frederick

Several hundred members of the University and larger Kansas communities attended a memorial service for former University Athletics Director Bob Frederick.

When Katie Martincich, student-athlete from Shawnee, recalled her experiences in Frederick’s classroom, she echoed other speakers in celebrating Frederick’s ability to tell a story.


“There was no greater class time than Dr. Bob’s story time,” she said. “The lessons from his experience were more valuable than any textbook material.”
 She said Frederick created a lighthearted atmosphere in the classroom that made his lessons fun.
 “There was no way you could leave his class each day without a smile on your face,” she said.


Frederick’s wardrobe was also fondly remembered by those in attendance.
 “He was always the best dressed man in the room,” Martincich said.


Max Urick, former athletics director for Kansas State University, joked about Frederick’s impeccable manner of dress that was “a lesson in fashion to all of us.” 
He added that he was unable to sit next to Frederick at meetings because “the clothing contrast was unsettling to me.”


Ray Bechard, women’s volleyball coach, said the amount of people at the memorial showed how many lives Frederick had affected.


“We are all here because he wrote a personal chapter in all of our lives,” Bechard said.
 At Bechard’s urging, the crowd stood and applauded for Frederick just as Bechard recalled Frederick had so often done for his student athletes.


Frederick’s sons Brad, Mark, Chris and Brian recalled Frederick’s love for people from all walks of life.
 Brian Frederick described his father’s habit of telling elaborate stories that seemed to have no end. “His story will go on,” Brian said. “We won’t even know it and he’ll just speak to us again.”