Just got this. Fred, for those who may not remember, was a member of the crew of the Clearwater for awhile.

Dear Folk Music and Peace Friends,

Fred's daughter Tasha called me this morning to give me the sad news that Fred passed away last night, October 25, at about 10:30 PM. He was at the Chatsworth Park Rehab facility, where he had been transferred again after being hospitalized most recently at Northridge Hospital. Cause of death is as yet undetermined, though as you know he had been in failing health for the past two months. My fragile hope for his eventual recovery just wasn't meant to be.

I do not want to pass along unreliable information, so I will leave it at that for now. I will be sending out further information as it becomes available. I am on my way over to Tasha's now, to help Barbara and Tasha with final arrangements. We will be planning a memorial, etc., to which we will send out invitations, for a date TBA. I am very sorry to convey this sad news in an email, but I don't have time to call everyone now.

I will send out an address to send sympathy cards by this evening or tomorrow at latest. On behalf of Fred's family I want to thank you for your many expressions of support and encouragement during Fred's illness. Like all of you I wish it had not come to this. Please feel free to forward this email to friends of Fred who would want to know. Thank you.

With love and sorrow,

Ross Altman