Fred Hornkohl (1951-2016): Donations to Rizzo Family Foundation

[BigbadB]

Damn. This sucks. I had the pleasure of meeting Fred (along with Yeti and CubmanPi) in Pittsburgh in the beginning of the 2008 season. Although he didn't know it, that was a really low point in my life. In the year and a half before, my wife and I had bought a house, gotten married, she finished her associates degree and I started my Masters. Combined with that, we went thru a brutal custody battle with her ex and in the process had a miscarriage of our 1st child together. After the stress of everything, my wife had health issues and was forced to leave/lose her job. I was working for a dead-end company, passed over for promotions several times and struggling to make ends meet as the only one working in a then family of 4, with a mortgage, student loans, and medical bills stacking up.

 

Fred messaged me on here one day to let me know he was going to be here for the Cubs/Pirates series months before the game. I completely forgot. When the game time came, I was dead broke. He had already paid for the tickets, which he didn't ask for anything in return. I tried to back out of the game, but he insisted and even bought me food for the first game. I was able to scrounge up $20 so as to not look like a complete bum for the 2nd game.

 

My wife and I were down to 1 vehicle. I believe I made up a story about my car being in the shop to save myself some embarassment. My wife needed the car for those 2 days for a dr's appt and an interview. But Fred came and picked me up from work, drove us to the game and drove me all the way home when I refused to allow him to let me take his car home after the game.

 

But anyway, I never told him but I really appreciated everything he did and offered. I always wanted to return the favor if he ever came back out this way. And I know I wasn't myself or very fun when those guys were out here. But it says a lot about a person to be that kind to someone he didn't really know. So I can't imagine the heartbreak his family is feeling. God bless you, Cubman and family.

 

#[expletive] #[expletive]

 

Wow! Great story! Most of us can only imagine what it would have been like to know Fred in person. You got to experience it firsthand, and he was even more charming through your words. Thanks for sharing.

[Tim]

My wife asked me why I was so sad last night and I told her that a good friend had passed away. After some hugs and nice words, she asked me who it was. When I said Fred's name, she was a bit confused at first because she didn't know the name and yet I was obviously upset because it was someone close. I explained that I knew Fred through here and I could tell that she really didn't quite understand how I could feel so strongly for someone I knew primarily though interaction here.

 

It has really had me thinking this morning about how much this place and all of you have meant to me over the years. Thank you all for being a part of this community and for being such good friends for a long time now.

[raw]

My wife asked me why I was so sad last night and I told her that a good friend had passed away. After some hugs and nice words, she asked me who it was. When I said Fred's name, she was a bit confused at first because she didn't know the name and yet I was obviously upset because it was someone close. I explained that I knew Fred through here and I could tell that she really didn't quite understand how I could feel so strongly for someone I knew primarily though interaction here.

 

It has really had me thinking this morning about how much this place and all of you have meant to me over the years. Thank you all for being a part of this community and for being such good friends for a long time now.

 

Yeah, this place is my sanctuary in all honesty. If it wasn't for you and this place I can't say that I'd really be that much into the Cubs anymore. 12 years away from the area. I could definitely see myself losing connection with the team, especially after losing WGN games and so forth. Never thought I'd be so upset by losing a fellow poster. Holding back tears because I'm in the office. But this sucks.

[UMFan83]

My wife asked me why I was so sad last night and I told her that a good friend had passed away. After some hugs and nice words, she asked me who it was. When I said Fred's name, she was a bit confused at first because she didn't know the name and yet I was obviously upset because it was someone close. I explained that I knew Fred through here and I could tell that she really didn't quite understand how I could feel so strongly for someone I knew primarily though interaction here.

 

It has really had me thinking this morning about how much this place and all of you have meant to me over the years. Thank you all for being a part of this community and for being such good friends for a long time now.

 

Had the same convo with my wife last night, except she knew who he was from me going to several Cubs games with him in the past. I referred to him as 'that older gentleman' and she immediately knew who I was talking about and was sad for me.

[CubinNY]

I loved and appreciated his useless stats in game thread. They were never useless and always welcome. I'm sorry. He is missed.

[CubmanPi]

Holding back tears because I'm in the office. But this sucks.

I was not at all successful at this. Had to come back home.

 

Thanks for sharing such a personal and touching story. I'm glad you were able to come out and enjoy that series with us.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

it's kind of weird to me when I think that I've interacted with a whole lot of you for longer than most of my closest friends. I sort of feel like I'm living a double life because I don't believe anyone I know outside of here knows that I spend as much time here as I do. basically when it's my time, nobody will be on here starting a thread to let you know. I guess in that regard it's nice that we were able to get some closure on this since a lot of us had been worried about him.

[CubmanPi]

I was thinking about this today... the 23-second mark in particular:

 

[BigSlick]

The Fred Hornkohl Game Threads Forum is absolutely perfect

[MUCubsfan]

I used to post here until I was not allowed to anymore (probably for being an idiotic college kid). Still lurked from time to time, almost exclusively to see the stats that Fred would post in the game threads. I felt the desire to register today to offer my condolences and to share a brief story of the time I met Fred.

 

My first game at Wrigley, in 2005, I was in the bleachers and went to the back fence to smoke a cigarette before the game started. Made small talk with the guy next to me, told him it was my first time at Wrigley and he asked where I was from. I said "Columbia, MO" to which he incredibly enthusiastically responded "are you Mizzou?!" and when I said that was me, he extended a hand and said "I'm Fred Hornkohl." I'll never forget that moment. We chatted for a bit more and then went on our respective ways. Based on my short interaction with him in person, I could tell he was absolutely full of life. Such a nice, nice man and he made NSBB a much better place.

 

RIP, Fred. Condolences to his friends and family.

[Post Count Padder]

Such sad news. I obviously didn't know Fred nearly as well as many of you but he always made the game threads amusing and he is one of the posters I always associated closely with this site. He seemed like a good man and he will definitely be missed.

[David]

I hadn't finished reading the post when I was about to ask if MU was Mizzou.

[UMFan83]

I hadn't finished reading the post when I was about to ask if MU was Mizzou.

 

Now we just need CubbieBum and yanrslatr appearances

[imb]

I hadn't finished reading the post when I was about to ask if MU was Mizzou.

 

Now we just need CubbieBum and yanrslatr appearances

 

100 percent chance bum would say something inappropriate

[David]

I hadn't finished reading the post when I was about to ask if MU was Mizzou.

 

Now we just need CubbieBum and yanrslatr appearances

 

JC and Jon, too.

 

I remember JC actually showed up out of nowhere for Rizzo's debut. Figured if he'd show up for that, he'd have shown up sometime in the past 2 seasons.

[Tim]

I hadn't finished reading the post when I was about to ask if MU was Mizzou.

 

Now we just need CubbieBum and yanrslatr appearances

 

JC and Jon, too.

 

I remember JC actually showed up out of nowhere for Rizzo's debut. Figured if he'd show up for that, he'd have shown up sometime in the past 2 seasons.

And NC and Cuse.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I hadn't finished reading the post when I was about to ask if MU was Mizzou.

same

[Sammy Sofa]

Man, I really was not expecting this to bum me out as much as it has. Despite all the jokes over the years about how old Fred was and knowing he was dealing with some health issues, I was just assuming right up until the news this morning that, of course, he would be back as king of the game threads and with those stats of his in time for the playoffs. I sadly never met the man, but based on everything people are bringing up here, I really wish I had.

[cubscott34]

My deepest condolences CubmanPi. While I'm not the most active poster I can say that I am on this site nearly every day and I always enjoyed the game threads with Fred's stats. Fred was a big reason why I would put my name on the list for game thread starters each year even though I knew it'd sometimes be difficult for me to do with my schedule. In a weird way Fred's dedication to every stat, regular and crazy, in both the good times and the bad, inspired me to make time for Cubs game threads and I will miss all his wonderful posts, especially the obligatory Cubs W flag after wins. RIP Fred. This flag is for you.

 

:flythew:

 

Also, the renaming of the game thread forum is perfect and if there's going to be a tweet event to Len, let me know as I'm absolutely in.

[Rob]

This all still sucks today. If you'd have told me when I'd joined this board that I'd be sad for multiple days about one of its members passing away, I'd never believe you.

 

And yet here we are.

 

That said, I'm really glad that Tim has renamed the Game Threads forum. It's a perfect tribute.

[Tim]

This all still sucks today. If you'd have told me when I'd joined this board that I'd be sad for multiple days about one of its members passing away, I'd never believe you.

 

And yet here we are.

 

That said, I'm really glad that Tim has renamed the Game Threads forum. It's a perfect tribute.

To be clear, it was on my way to do it and found it already done. The mods had already taken care of it.

[UK]

My wife asked me why I was so sad last night and I told her that a good friend had passed away. After some hugs and nice words, she asked me who it was. When I said Fred's name, she was a bit confused at first because she didn't know the name and yet I was obviously upset because it was someone close. I explained that I knew Fred through here and I could tell that she really didn't quite understand how I could feel so strongly for someone I knew primarily though interaction here.

 

It has really had me thinking this morning about how much this place and all of you have meant to me over the years. Thank you all for being a part of this community and for being such good friends for a long time now.

 

Yeah, this place is my sanctuary in all honesty. If it wasn't for you and this place I can't say that I'd really be that much into the Cubs anymore. 12 years away from the area. I could definitely see myself losing connection with the team, especially after losing WGN games and so forth. Never thought I'd be so upset by losing a fellow poster. Holding back tears because I'm in the office. But this sucks.

 

I miss talking with Fred about places we've been more than the Cubs, his life on the road was always fascinating to me. Likewise, I don't post nearly as much as I did in the past but it's been a rough 6 years (dad passing, 2 miscarriages, 1 stillborn, currently my wife is 34 weeks pregnant) which is the main reason why I don't post as much as well as the Cubs sucking for 4 of the 6 years. As odd as it sounds, IMB and Bob Sanders have always made me laugh and it has helped greatly. Tim, (as creepy as my wife thinks this community is) thank you for everything you have done with NSBB.

 

As previously mentioned, great move with renaming of the Game Thread forum.

[Bull]

Most people I know say that I'm the biggest fan of any team they've ever met. Fred was this for me. A Cubs fan among Cubs fans.

[Flames24Rulz]

This really sucks. I never got a chance to meet the guy, but how could you not love his stats and his game thread posts?

 

RIP, Fred.

[soccer10k]

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h184/soccer10k/Fred_1.png