Bill,

Another very difficult year has passed by, and I've had some personal struggles. Many times I have wished you were still here for selfish reasons, as you always extended a helpful hand and good advice when I was down. But of course, I wish you were still here for far more important reasons, as your scholarly insights would be so welcome these days and your good humor as well. Think of you often Bill, and like so many other miss you greatly. Riley

Bill, The years are going by fast, and life is tough these days with Covid still lingering, climate change worsening, and our democracy under grave threat. You would be amazed and saddened, as I am. But you would certainly find it a fertile time for research and theorizing, and we could use some of your keen insights. Think of you often and miss you greatly my friend. Riley

I had the good fortune to attend several excellent presentations by Bill at multiple RSS meetings. Friendly, funny, and made me think differently about environmental issues. I have read many articles and books and continue to learn from his scholarship. Found this site today and smiled at the butterfly effect I felt from his presence in the world.

Bill,

You missed a terrible year, one we would have neve expected when you left us. But scholarly work on environmental issues continues, and is enriched by your great body of scholarship.

Bill, 

Wow, this has been quite a year, full of problems like Covid-19 and the efforts of Trump and his GOP puppets to further undermine American democracy via extreme voter suppression measures. Tomorrow I hope our fellow citizens clean house, and save our country. You would have found a lot to think about and no doubt study in this situation. Miss you a lot.

Riley

Hi Bill,

Got some good news for you this year, my dear friend. I was invited to write a short piece about you and your scholarship for the Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology by George Ritzer, and with the help of Duane Gill I have done so. It should be out fairly soon, and it's great recognition for you to be in there along with many giants of sociology. I'll send it along so it can be posted on this site when the volume comes out.

I continue to miss you a lot. The older I get the more I realize how incredibly valuable and meaningful our friendship was, and sure wish you where still here. But have no doubt, you scholarship lives on.

Riley

Well, yet another year flew by Bill, and I've "retired" and am settling into a new home in Tulsa where Christina found a good job. I hope to keep publishing regularly, and help keep our field of Environmental Sociology going strong--which it certainly is. As I noted last year, your work continues to be drawn upon by a wide range of scholars, and "disproportionality" is especially stimulating a good deal of work. So your ideas and spirit clearly live on. Miss you. Riley

Bill,

Another year has zoomed by. Environmental Sociology is going stronger than ever, and your work continues to be a key part of our field. You are missed, and fondly remembered by our colleagues--and certainly by me.

Riley

Hi Bill, Well, there are plenty of days I still wish you were around to give me advice and insight on how to navigate the world between the social and environmental/earth sciences. And I think you'd have so many brilliant, witty things to say regarding what is happening right now - interesting times! You are missed greatly, but the influences of your work carry on in multiple areas and ways, and that is what science is about - immortality! haha. By the way, I'll never forget that you went to my PhD graduation, even when ill. Thanks Bill for everything.

Dear Bill, Every morning when I'm opening the Environmental Studies conference room I look at your portrait hanging in your library collection and send a good morning greetings and let you know how things are going. We miss you and your passion. We need more hero's to champion the environment like you did. Please send us a bunch.

Hi Bill,

Another year has gone by, but things are going well for your legacy and for our beloved field of Environmental Sociology. Your "disproportionality" thesis is stimulating more and more strong research, confirming your initial findings, and may prove to be the most widely used of your numerous great ideas.

I met a bright young U.S. environmental sociologist at a little conference I co-organized in Sweden last week, one who is pretty much self-trained in our field. He remarked that "I keep finding more great work by Bill Freudenburg the more I delve into environmental sociology." I promised to send him you final vita, and I'm about to do that.

And you'll also be pleased to know that Env Soc is growing in stature and moving into the mainstream, thanks in part to the attention being given to climate change. More and more work is being published in "elite" journals, following the path that you paved.

So please know, my dear friend, that your insights continue to inspire other scholars, at an escalating pace, and thereby strengthen our field.

Miss you greatly,
Riley

I’ve been thinking about Bill today, perhaps because we both would have turned 65 on November 2 this year, and I’ve been reflecting deeply and regularly on the health and well being of Nature, trees and water particularly, and the indigenous tribes that have joined together in North Dakota to take a stand to protect the water. I stand in solidarity with all who are there, as Protectors. Although “retired,” I’ve been involved as a citizen with two groups to protect the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State from naval warfare practices involving noise-invasive growler jets and a electronic warfare range, all which impact wildlife, beautiful lands, some “protected” as a national park and national forests, and communities around the Peninsula, Whidbey Island, the San Juans, and other nearby areas. I witness the impacts of climate change, each year showing us more. I learn continually from Nature, as my spiritual path is deeply aligned with Nature. So, it’s not surprising that I’d think of Bill with this combination of environmental-social protection and concern for justice, Nature stewardship, spirituality and the ways of Nature, and our mutual birthdays. So, although it’s more than a month until this next birthday, I honor Bill yet again, as my friend and birthday twin, and his tremendous legacy professionally and personally.

Bill: Warm, spiritual blessings to you, my friend, as you continue your own journey, and heartfelt blessings to those you touched near and far… I miss your lively spirit in this world still, yet I know your spirit and heart live on within all of us you touched, including Mother Nature… With gratitude, love, and peace... Katey

Bill,

I just got back from Japan where I spoke at the 5th International Symposium on Environmental Sociology in East Asia, and one of the papers presented by a Chinese scholar was based on your "double diversion" argument. So my dear friend, your work is not only alive and well (and getting lots of attention) here in the US, but is spreading internationally.

Also, the ASA Task Force volume, Climate Change and Society: Sociological Perspectives, was finally published by Oxford and is an official ASA publication. I sure wish you were here to help me celebrate, but I appreciated your insights when we launched the Task Force.

I think of you often, and miss you greatly.

Riley

Happy Birthday, Lieber Bruder! Hard to believe you would be 64 today. If you and dad could possibly pull a few strings up there, our beloved Huskers could sure use some intervention! Miss you always.
Jim

Bill, I played a very small part in your life here at the University but you seem to relate to people with special clarity. I want you to know I'm still using and I am still inspired by the password you gave me. We miss you and think of you often.

Four years have gone by...your light continues to shine and inspire. But we who love you miss your smile & friendship so very much. My love & thoughts are with Sarah & Max today...

Bill,

I think of you often, and miss you very much, as do so many of our colleagues. I've continued our tradition of organizing group dinners for ETS members at ASA meetings, and they're very successful--and a tribute to the warm and inviting atmosphere you played a key role in establishing within the Section.

With two journal symposia and the RSPPP volume dedicated to your work now in print, you can be assured that your ideas continue to get a great deal of attention.

Rest in peace my dear friend,
Riley

The picture of you on my wall puts a smile on my face every time--your smile is that contagious, it spans the distance between us even now. Always in my heart, sweet man and good friend. Here at UW we miss you still and speak of you often when we gather. I'm so thankful our lives crossed paths, Bill!

Remembering you especially on your birthday. If only I was choosing a witty card for your enjoyment! Always in my heart, Bill, the best "boss" ever.

Bill left us much, much too soon. May his spirit live on!

One year ago today, rocks fell from the mountaintop and stopped us in our tracks. One year ago today, my best friend couldn't tell me the tragic news, she had to pass the phone to a friend who could. Just one year to show us that life goes on, though with less volume and one less hero. Thank you, Bill, for the mountain of great memories!

Bill's passion for ES & talent for teaching & inspiring others never ceased to amaze me. His words-"The most that any of us can hope for is to make a positive difference with others, and possibly to leave the world a tiny bit better than we found it

Re: Beth Parke's post about SEJournal articles: to view them you may need to go to the Journal website itself at: http://www.sej.org and do a search for "Remembering Bill Freudenburg" and "Robbing Nature's Bank." Some experience an error when copyin

The Spring 2011 SEJournal, (Society of Environmental Journalists), offers a remembrance written by Roger Witherspoon, along with a brilliant essay by Bill. You can read it here: http://www.sej.org/publications/sejournal/remembering-bill-freudenberg 

I am so grateful to have had the chance to learn from Professor Freudenburg. The level of respect I have for him is beyond what I am able to express. I will always regret not thanking him personally for teaching me more in 10 weeks than I have learned in the course of my entire education, and inspiring me in the same fashion. Here's to a tremendous human being... Thank you, Bill!

Bill, thank you for your collegiality and support. Your positive energy, overt friendliness, sense of humor and wisdom will be sorely missed. You are a true scholar and mensch.

To all those Professor Freudenburg touched they are so lucky to have met him. I first had the pleasure of taking his class as a freshman at UCSB. His ES 1 class inspired me more than any other class ever has done. Thank you so much for all the amazing things you did during your short stay on this planet. You will not be disappointed in all the work that your students continue to do in your honor.

I was lucky enough to have Bill Freudenburg as my Professor. I have never been so inspired by any other teacher; Bill's passion shined through everything he taught. I am so grateful to have known and and been a student of Professor Freudenburg. He will always be in my heart.

It was a blessing to be in the presence of and in community with this truly lovely man. Bill was on fire and he loved being on fire and he was a master at helping others come alight. Who can ever forget his wide-eyed embrace, calling you to yourself and to the joy of the work and play at hand. I nominate Bill as a Saint of our community. I can hear him laughing at the thought,

From: Cousin Judy from Iowa:
Bill was a really great guy! I remember he would always be so excited to go on the wagon rides on our farm. He would always bring us Mad Magazines and comic books. It was always such fun when you would come visit! Even though he was older than me, he was always really nice and had a great sense of humor. We will all miss him.

From Greg and Mary Lubisher:
I feel privileged to have known Bill and wish I knew him even better. I will miss the talks we had over crops, weather, and the Cornhuskers. When it came to crop prices we would usually have an argument over who did the worse job of marketing. In the end, we would usually console each other and vow to do better next time. What a neat person he was, and to talk to!

From Mary Becker Boston:
My memories of Bill are from when we were in high school. He was very friendly and so very, very intelligent! He was also so musically talented that my husband Earl and I asked Bill to sing for our wedding. He did a fabulous job! After reading his obituary, I see what a full and wonderful life he had. I hope that there is someone to carry on his great legacy.

From: Mrs. Glenda Graves from West Point:
Bill certainly achieved much during his earthly life! I will always remember lifeguarding with him at Indian Trails, and he and Randy 'making music' out in our barn!

Colleague Bill, I have always appreciated your sense of humor and your intelligence. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your mentorship.

Bill knew that conserving the environment requires a change of politics. And that in a country where you can make a political career by spitting at politics. He was one of my best friends during my three years of service for the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. Ernst von Weizsaecker

Professor Freudenburg is the reason I am pursuing my masters degree in an environmental field. Having him throughout my time at UCSB made my experience that much more memorable. He had a passion for his work and a genuine interest in all of his students. myself and all other ES students owe it to him. We will continue your work professor! Here's to you

I will never forget Bill Freudenburg's excellent and challenging courses, great sense of humor and caring attitude toward his students. In Bill's classes, we didn't shy away from difficult authors, we had great discussions, and Bill would join us for pizza after class. It was a wonderful way to learn. Bill was also instrumental in helping me get into graduate school. Thank you for everything Bill!

I remember many conversations and discussions with Bill Freudenburg and I would like hereby to say him thanks for the depth and humanity of the exchange of knowledge and experience. Thank you, Bill.

Bill---my distinguished colleague---I’d like to express my heartfelt respect to you. Your vivid lectures, profound erudition, teaching skills really benefited me a lot. Thanks a lot for the great opportunity you providing me to work with you at UCSB. I will always remember your passion on environmental sociology, your smile, humor, kindness, friendship…….Rest in peace, my dear friend.

I came to be one of many lucky students of him since 1994 when Bill was in Madison, Wisconsin. He was so gentle, humorous, kind, and warm-hearted to my family from Korea as well as giving many precious comments on my doctoral thesis. I cannot forget the most pleasant dinner with his family at a restaurant in Santa Barbara. Rest in peace, my dear advisor...

Bill, We were a real "team" at the Dept. of Rural Sociology at UW-Madison. We were extremely busy but always the humor and friendship. You brought me tiger lilies from your ditch at home which to me were roses. My heart is broken; memories will stay with me forever. Diane "best secretary of all time" 1991

Bill inspired us all to live each day vibrantly, joyfully, and with much humor. He demonstrated these qualities to the very end. What an exquisite role model we were blessed with!

Among a unique and wonderful ES department, Bill was a wonderful guide and inspiration. Some of the best and lasting lessons I took from UCSB were learned in his classes, lessons I think about in life and that are guiding my time at grad school. And always so kind, despite my persistant knocking at his door. I am lucky to have had a chance to learn from one of the greats. Will always remember you.

As my advisor for my undergraduate thesis, Bill would ask on a weekly basis if I was still rearranging my pencils. Little did I know, that having your pencils in a row is a very important part of any writing process. Bill, your humor and passion will be greatly missed.

Prof. Freudenburg was one of the most compassionate and inspiring professors I had during my time at UCSB. I took ES1 with him the first quarter of my freshman year and his freshman seminar. For the next 4 years, I was so touched that he always took the time to say hello when I ran into him on campus, always remembering my name and our connection. I feel so lucky that I learned from him.

Professor Freudenberg could make the world of bleak and grey into blue and green again, for lost souls stuck to the slick of oil- he was acetone. For those in the slip of acerbic melancholy, he was harmony, he was melody. Long live his lectures, long live his voice, may mankind make its stand in the waves and likes of him...

Thank you for your kindness, passion, humanity...you were trully a great man....

God bless you and your family

Professor Freudenberg, you are the reason I chose to major in ES and therefore you changed my life. Thank you so much for your light. You resonated with passion for your students for the world, and you even made me tear up on the last day of class. I hope your son reads this and remembers the impact his father had- a massive, loving ripple through the world. 

Safe passage <3

I am sorry to hear the sad news. I am an ES graduate from 2009 and now I am about to begin my master's thesis on the double diversion in a few weeks...Professor Freudenburg loved the idea when I emailed him for advice about it, I'm sorry he won't be around to read it, but I'll work extra hard on it to make him proud! thanks for all the inspiration Professor

"BBB" -- Big Brother Bill -- thanks for the wisdom, the joy and the humor you brought to our lives! And students -- thank you for sharing a side of Bill's world that the family didn't often have a chance to see.
"LSP" ..... little sister Pat