History tells us that Paul Harris founded Rotary on the bedrock of mutual friendship and later cultivated the objective of being of service to others. Harvey Freetly personified the “Service Above Self” motto of Paul Harris.
Harvey joined the Petaluma Rotary Club shortly after attending his first “Fireside Chat on November 2, 1995 at the home of member Ned Davis. Later, in his desire to learn more about our club and its programs, Harvey also attended a second “Fireside Chat” hosted by Past President Michael Madick. Perhaps the seed was planted then for the literacy program to be called the “Dictionary Project” that spread across Rotary internationally.
When the Dictionary Project vision became reality, I had the privilege of participating in the first year of this experience. Watching Harvey speak to students about Rotary and the dictionary program, an observer could see the rapport that he established with them and their heartfelt gratitude.
My fondest memory of Harvey was serving with him as volunteer bell-ringers for the Salvation Army Christmas kettles. Harvey and I had lengthy talks about Rotary and exchanged holiday greetings with shoppers. Harvey was cheerfully dealing with illness at that time.
Harvey accepted the position of District 5130 Chairperson of the Literacy Program for this fiscal year. When I was volunteering as an instructional aide this summer at a local elementary school, Harvey visited the class one day as “District Photographer” to publicize the Literacy Program.
About three weeks before Harvey was called home, I went to visit him. This was one of his “good days” and we chatted about Rotary. When he became sleepy, I realized that we had visited for one hour. Knowing that Harvey needed his rest, I excused myself. He graciously walked me to my car. As we said our good-byes, both of us stood in silence for one moment, with an unspoken exchange taking place that this was really a farewell.
On Thursday, December 7, 2006 we are “praying our good-byes” to a man who was called to service by God, who answered the call, and who was a staunch friend to all. We consider ourselves blessed to have known him, and we ask God’s blessing on his family and friends. Harvey was loved by family and friends, and he loved them in return. Rest in peace, Harvey.
Rotary Club of Petaluma -- Tribute by Paul Lounibos
Obituary published - Dec 7, 2006
Harvey A. Freetly was known for years of community service and for mentoring youth. He earned the nickname “Mr. Dictionary” for spearheading a Rotary Club effort that distributed dictionaries to schoolchildren.
Freetly died Nov. 30 after battling cancer. He was 70. He legacy endures through his “gift of words,” the dictionary project, family members said.
A native of Oklahoma, he and his sister and parents moved to California in 1943, settling in Lodi, where he graduated from Lodi High School in 1954. He went on to Stockton Junior College and in 1959 graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in farm management.
In 1958 he married Marlene and the couple were together 48 years. She was his best friend.
Freetly got a job in Nicasio managing a ranch in 1961 and the couple and their children moved to west Marin County. In Nicasio he also became a property appraiser for the Marin County Assessor’s Office.
The family moved to Petaluma in 1976 and in 1983 he started his own appraisal business for commercial, industrial and agricultural properties.
Freetly gave much of his time to youth and for 25 years he was a 4-H leader and served on the FFA Advisory Council.
He was proud of his membership as a Petaluma Rotarian and was honored many times for his service. In 2005-2006 he was District Rotarian of the Year. In 2002-2003 he received the Meritorious Service Award and in 1999-2000 was Petaluma Rotarian of the Year.
Six years ago Freetly helped create a Rotary program giving dictionaries to Petaluma third-graders. The program has been replicated by Rotary clubs nationwide and has received international recognition.
Survivors include his wife; son Harvey C. Freetly of Hastings, Neb.; daughter Shelley Blotter of Minden, Nev.; sister Jean McCubbin of Dubuque, Iowa, and three grandchildren.
Private graveside services will be in Lodi.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Petaluma. A celebration of his life will be held afterward at Herzog Hall at the Petaluma fairgrounds.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Petaluma Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 5655, Petaluma 94955, to the American Cancer Society or to a favorite charity.
— Randi Rossmann
Copyright © 2006 Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Obituary published - Dec. 6, 2006
Harvey A. Freetly, well known in the community for his work with Petaluma Rotary and 4-H, died at his Petaluma home on Nov. 30, 2006 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 70.
A native of Oklahoma, Mr. Freetly came to California with his family in 1943, ultimately settling in Lodi. Mr. Freetly graduated from Lodi High School in 1954 and continued his education at Stockton Junior College. He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1959 with a degree in farm management.
Mr. Freetly became a ranch manager in Nicasio, where he lived with his wife, Marlene, and their children. During this time, he became a property appraiser for the Marin County Assessor’s Office.
In 1976 the family moved to Petaluma, where Mr. Freetly established his own commercial/industrial/agricultural property appraisal business.
He is best remembered for his advocacy and mentoring of youth. He was a 4-H leader for 25 years and served on the FFA Advisory Council. He received an award for Service to Youth in Petaluma in 2003.
Mr. Freetly was a member of Petaluma Rotary and earned many awards for his service, including 2005-2006 District Rotarian of the Year and the 1999-2000 Petaluma Rotarian of the Year.
He was nicknamed “Mr. Dictionary” for his efforts in creating a Rotary program that distributes dictionaries to Petaluma third-graders. The program is being replicated in Rotary clubs throughout the United States.
He is survived by his wife and best friend of 48 years, Marlene Freetly. He was the father of Harvey C. Freetly of Hastings, Neb. and Shelley Blotter of Minden, Nev.
He is survived by his sister, Jean McCubbin of Dubuque, Iowa and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 455 McNear Ave., at 11 a.m. Dec. 7 followed by a celebration of his life at Herzog Hall on the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.
The family prefers memorial contributions be made to the Petaluma Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 5655, Petaluma 94955, the American Cancer Society, or to a favorite charity.
Copyright © 2006 Petaluma Argus-Courier
