Richard Freedman

Richard “Rich” Freedman died on March 30, with his wife Megan at his side. Retiring Jan. 4, 2022 after 27 years working as a reporter and editor for the Vallejo Times-Herald, Rich was the son of Bernard Freedman, who died in 2017 at age 99, and Claire Freedman, who died in 2001 at age 81. Rich’s greatest love was his wife, Megan. The two were married on Sept. 26, 2004, in Vallejo. Rich is survived by his wife Megan; step-children Toby, Charlotte and Beau (Belisle); son-in-law Mike Payne; and grandsons Baker and Caswell Payne. He was predeceased in death by his son, Cameron (2020, age 26), his sister, Lynn Weiss, and his parents. Rich’s accomplishments are numerous, including Benicia Man of the Year, The 2013 Humanitarian of the Year by Theta Pi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Vallejo, 2009 West Coast Blues Hall of Fame Award as Blues Journalist of the Year, the California Commendation Medal by the Military Dept., State of California in 2003, and the Doctor of Medicine WebMD diploma, compliments of his sister-in-law, Amy Johnson Bax. Rich was a big sports fan, including the San Francisco Giants, 49ers and Golden State Warriors. He loved baseball the most, having played until he was 16 when a blown elbow and inability to hit a curveball ended his fantasy of playing minor league baseball. Rich also loved stand-up comedy, comedy movies, and was a big fan of singer Brandi Carlile. Rich graduated from Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord (Class of 1974), Diablo Valley College, and San Jose State University. His first full-time newspaper job was with the Valley Times in Pleasanton. That building is now a Mexican food market. At the Vallejo Times-Herald, where he worked for 27 years, Rich was, as his editor Jack F.K. Bungart says, “a legend.” He served as a reporter before becoming the paper’s longtime community editor. He also wrote a weekly column, which entertained his fans with wit, wisdom, cynicism and a healthy dose of snark. Overseeing the Vallejo-Times Herald’s Community Christmas Card every year, Rich took pride in helping raise nearly $500,000 to help feed the local hungry. Upon retirement, Rich received a proclamation from then Congressman Mike Thompson and a Resolution from the California Legislature signed by state Sen. Bill Dodd and Assemblyman Tim Grayson Rich’s first honor in retirement was serving as the Grand Marshal of Vallejo’s July 4 parade. Rich would stay busy, taking freelance assignments for Martin Media as road manager for several entertainers, including comedians Paula Poundstone, Rob Schneider, and the improv group, “Whose Live, Anyway?” Rich traveled to exotic stops as Salt Lake City, Kansas City, KS, and Santa Fe, NM. Visitation Friday, April 5, 4 - 6pm, Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, 901 W 2nd Street, Benicia Please visit the online tribute at https://www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com. Funeral Service Sunday, April 7, 3pm, Northgate Christian Fellowship, 2201 Lake Herman Rd., Benicia

Richard Freedman

July 21, 1956 - March 31, 2024