Loss of my Mentor

[RAM]

Sad news, Thurs Jerome S. (Jerry) Freeman, LS 4079, passed away while mowing his yard.

He was one of my mentors and a big help in my passing the exam the first try.
He was old school, look one more time, check everyone again and be consistant when writing descriptions.

If you have a mentor, let them know what it meant to you. Do not count on tomorrow. I did not express to him the impact he had on my life and now it is too late.

Jerry grew up in So Cal, bought a Model A coupe in high school, started with the city of Glendale, moved to Cody Wyoming for a short time, discovered winter, moved to Mariposa, CA, bought into a small shop, had a partner, single owner, had a second partner, semi retired as an employee, then moved to and become the County Surveyor. He had his own pace but he was usually correct.

Many good memorys of digging for section corners, dragging chain, digging the truck out of the mud, love of a risque joke, a cold one on Friday afternoon. He still has the Model A, slightly modified, as we that knew him all are, and for the better.

I own Jerry for a part of who I am, Thank you.

Russ Marks

[PLS7393]

May he R.I.P. with the other greats that have moved on to survey the celestial baseline. Keep your spirits up RAM.

[E_Page]

Sorry for your loss, Russ. Sounds like a great guy to have worked for/with, and that you were blessed to have been able to do so.

Perhaps several decades from now, someone will write something similar about Russell Marks. That would be a fitting tribute to Mr. Freeman.

[RAM]

I think that is the best we can hope for. To have made a difference in anothers life. Keith and Evan, thank you for the kind words. Sometimes we don't know the effect somebody has had on our likes until after they are gone.

[Ric7308]

Sorry to hear that Russ. I enjoyed the several phone conversations that Jerry and I had regarding surveying practice in your area.

Make sure to send John the info and a story for CalSurveyor

Ric

[JoeC]

I too had the great pleasure of knowing Jerry Freeman. He was an inspiration to me and a great mentor.

I worked with Jerry in private practice for ten years and as the County Surveyor for five. Russ is right - Jerry was very much old school and one of the last Mineral Surveyors, something he was very proud of.

Jerry was the first person I called when I passed my LSIT years ago, because I knew he had a sincere heart and wanted me to achieve what feared I couldn’t do, be a land surveyor.

Sometimes you ask yourself after the fact –why is he being so hard on me? Why am I getting all the difficult project? Now I know………. I’m working on getting my license.

Jerry Freeman was a man’s man. He was a teacher of the profession he loved so much, he put his life into land surveying.


If I could say to all you Land Surveyors out there – you are our teachers, our mentors, teach us to respect the profession, take time to hear weird questions, and we will pass on this great profession called LAND SURVEYORS.


Thank You Joe

[RAM]

Jerry,

It is good to hear from someone that was in Jerome's eary survey career.

Jerome went on to be licensed in Calif, Wyoming and as Joe added, a Federal Mineral Surveyor.

A Remberance will be held on his home this Sat, 4-24 at 11am.

Thank everyone for your kind words, Joe and I will pass it on to the family on Sat.

RUss