ForeverMissed
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On December 28, 2010 William R. Freudenburg, Ph.D. succumbed to bile duct cancer at his Santa Barbara, California home.  He was a beloeved son, brother, husband, father, colleague and friend as well as a world renownned environmental sociologist and social theorist best known for his work in rural sociology on the topics of risk perception, social disruption, and the causes of environmental degradation. 

This website is dedicated in loving memory of Bill.  Please feel free to leave a tribute below or your favorite story or memory by visiting the Stories page.  Learn more about Dr. Freudenburg by visiting the His Life page, Wikipedia, or reading below.

RECENT INFO ABOUT BILL AND HIS WORK: 

• December, 2019: An updated biography of Bill Freudenburg, written by Professor Riley E. Dunlap of Oklahoma State University, was recently published in the Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. 

• Januay, 2014: An impressive volume of articles dedicated to the legacy of William Freudenburg was published in the Journal of Research in Social Problems and Public Policy.  Volume 21 is titled: William R. Freudenburg, A Life in Social Research (ISBN: 978-1-78190-734-4). One essay is titled: The Sociological Imagination Personified: Reflections on the LiFe, Scholarly Contributions, and Professional Accomplishments of William R. Freudenburg. by Riley E. Dunlap. Click here to access and review.

• May, 2013: A Tribute to William R. Freudenburg was published in Society & Natural Resources, An International Journal, Volume 26, Issue 6, 2013, edited by Tom Beckley and Troy Hall.

• September, 2012:  Release of Bill's textbook titled "Humans in the Landscape: An introduction to Environmental Studies."  Co-authroed by Kai N. Lee and Richard Howarth, this is the first textbook to fully synthesize all key aspects of environmental studies.

• An online video website featuring Dr. Freudenburg offers numerous videos about Bill, including:
   • "Bill in His Own Words" (interview of Bill done in November, 2010)
   • "The Legacy of Bill Freudenburg" (tributes from colleagues)
   • Blowout in the Gulf talk (November, 2010 lecture by Bill on his latest book)
   • 12 class lectures by Bill, part of his "Intro to Environmental Studies"
       course (fall quarter, 2010)
 Watching all videos for free at:
http://vimeo.com/channels/186979


April 2012:  Journal of Environmental Studies and Science (JESS) released a special issue dedicated Bill's lifelong work: The Legacy of William R. Freudenburg (Volume 2, Number 1/March 2012)

A tribute titled "William Freudenburg: An Intellectual and Professional Biography" by Riley Dunnlap and Debra Davidson was published in Volume 21, Issue 2 of the Rural Sociologist in June 2011 (download .pdf copy here).

Read a transcript of an oral history interview done with Bill by Professor Dana Fisher.  Offers a rich understanding of Bill's work and the evolution of environmental sociology in general.  The paper was presented at the American Sociology Society's (ASA) 2011 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.  http://www.envirosoc.org/freudenburg_history.pdf

Professor Freudenburg's complete Curriculum Vitae (CV) is now available online and may be downloaded from UCSB's Environmental Studies Program webiste or by clicking here (.pdf).

In May, 2011 Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker was selected for the inaugural William Freudenburg Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS). Read more about Dr. Tucker, AESS, and the Freudenburg Lifetime Achievement award at: http://aess.info/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=939971&module_id=97555


January 5, 2011
January 5, 2011
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
January 5, 2011
January 5, 2011
"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
January 5, 2011
January 5, 2011
Bill Freudenburg was one of the kindest and most approachable professors I had in my time at UCSB. I feel fortunate to have taken ES1 honors my first year, where he inspired me to think deeply about and challenge many things I accepted as a normal part of life. I will always remember the picture he showed of a $2.50 bottle of Evian water next to the tap in his hotel!
Rest in Peace Professor
January 5, 2011
January 5, 2011
Bill, I didn't know you very long or very well, but I so enjoyed your company. I miss your (sometimes) wicked sense of humor and your ever present smile. Peaceful journey.
January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
Bill, your smile, wit, passion, humor and friendship will never be forgotten. Your friend forever!
January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
Bill was the most inspirational professor of my tenure as a student. He frequently extended great acts of kindness towards his students, and his only expectation was that we do the same for our students when we are able to. In a large public university, it is very rare to find a professor that makes as sincere of an attempt to get to know and befriend students as Bill did.
January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
In the simplest words, Professor Freudenburg is the reason I became an Environmental Studies major. His undying passion and truly inspirational lectures re-awakened a passion of my own as a freshman and changed the course of my educational career, and in turn, my life. It is with great sadness we see him go, but in his memory that we continue to forge the path he began for us all.
January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
Bill was SUCH a joy to be around. I feel blessed to have met him and spent time with him. His passion for environmental issues, for people, and for academia always felt so blissful and genuine. He inspired me, as I'm sure he inspired so many others. His life was one that touched and changed more than he could have imagined.
January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
Prior to taking Professor Freudenburg's class I had no passion towards any particular field of study at UCSB. With a single lecture Professor Freudenburg had me hooked on environmental issues and his theory of 'double diversion.' Thank you, Professor Freudenburg, for all that you have contributed to my life and to those of others.
January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
I was a student of Bill's in 2006. I wrote him an email at the end of the quarter letting him know how much I enjoyed his class and he wrote back this,
Thanks very much --It's working with positive students like you that convinces me I happen to have the best job in the world.
All the best -- Professor Bill
January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
Best professor I've ever had. His passion for his work brought me to tears some lectures. I am so thankful for being able to hear him speak.
I believe many of his students will never forget his words and go on to change the world they way he would have hoped.
You will be missed
January 4, 2011
January 4, 2011
Professor Freudenburg reaffirmed my passion for environmental studies with his incredible Env S. 1 class. He would lecture for an hour and ten minutes, and then in the last five he would make his point, effectively turning my and every other students' world upside down. To this day he is still the only Professor I have had who received applause and ovations after every single one of his lectures.
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Recent Tributes
November 2, 2023
November 2, 2023
Bill, Still think of you often and so wish you were still among us. But boy, are these difficult times. Our democracy is under attack from within like never before, and like many, many others I am quite worried about the next national election. If the wrong people win, we'll become an "illiberal democracy" like Hungary where people get to vote but one party always wins. It is astounding and disheartening. And for me it was made worse by a bout of 'long Covid' that has really set me back. I fear I may not publish much more, but I'd trade no publications for a functioning democracy!!! I guess the only good news I can share is that your work continues to be cited and built upon, and that's a very nice legacy. Miss you old buddy. Riley
November 3, 2022
November 3, 2022
Bill,
Time flies by, but memories persist, and I have so many good ones of you. Life is strange these days, as we are about to have an election that will have a major effect on the future of our democracy--something unimaginable a decade ago. You would be very concerned, as am I, and I really hope things go okay. Your scholarly work continues to receive considerable attention, and your positive legacy persists. Along with many others, I miss you a lot. 
Riley
December 28, 2021
December 28, 2021
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
Recent stories

Thank you

November 2, 2022
I was in your Introduction Environmental Class at UCSB and I never forgot you! You made such a huge impact on me because of your enthusiasm and passion. I was very lucky to have made it into your course and I was very grateful for that. May you rest in peace.

Sad news

January 1, 2015

Bill,

Sadly we lost your buddy Bob Gramling this year.  Like you, he left us too early.  What an incredible collaboration you two had, and many have benefitted from the work of "Freudling" and "Gramburg."  Besides being superb scholars, you were wonderful human beings.   

You are missed, and your work (including that with Bob) continues to inspire and be used by other scholars.  I just cited two of your articles today!

You are always on my mind, and I miss you a great deal.

Riley           


     

Happy Birthday

November 2, 2013

Dear Bill,

How I wish you were still here to celebrate your 62nd birthday.  But please know that your memory is burning bright in lives of so many people, and your work is getting more attention than ever.  We miss you.

Your dear friend,
Riley Dunlap    

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