Testament to Robert Frey’s character

I remain dismayed and depressed by the unfortunate fate of my good friend, the late Bob Frey. Never in the 30 years I knew him did he lose his temper at an individual or express violent behavior, as aggression or in self-defense. Bob’s friendliness and amiability were genuine and natural, not forced or self-serving. He approached everyone as a potential friend, and assumed that people were trustworthy and honest. Even if they proved otherwise he would generally give them the benefit of the doubt – it was his nature to trust people.

Bob’s nature allowed others to take advantage of him, but that never made him a violent person – he would find other ways to generate income instead of trying to force others to meet their obligations. While in Oakland Bob had many individuals stay at his home. One friend of mine would not pay the rent. Bob didn’t threaten or evict him. He was willing to allow people extra time to fulfill their promises, because he believed they were as honest as he was, and because he did not like confrontation. To Bob, confrontation with an individual was a losing battle that soured communication and prevented the development of alternate plans.
Bob was an activist concerned about civil rights and social justice for all people, but particularly those of women, the impoverished, and cultures that had been devalued historically. He was astutely aware of women’s rights and no one who knew him would construe him as sexist or misogynistic.

The story of his murderers that I have heard suggests that he approached Ana Maria Diaz Cedano in an inappropriate manner when she and Oscar Adolfo Velazquez Munguia came to Bob’s residence to pay their rent, and that Mr. Munguia killed Bob to protect Ms. Cedano. My conclusion is that Ms. Cedano and Mr. Munguia did not know Bob well- if they had, they would never have concocted such a ludicrous excuse. Besides being so uncharacteristic of my friend, this story portrays him as stupid, which he was not. It makes him sound rude rather than gracious, and argumentative instead of reasonable. Bob Frey would have invited his tenants in, discussed the property and payment of their rent, or the reason for delayed payment, offered some sort of refreshment, and opened up a discussion to engage them in some kind of social participation. He would never provoke a confrontation with an individual, man or woman, let alone a pair of people.

Bob Frey’s death is a terrible loss for his friends and his community since he had a beneficial influence on all who knew him. He was a rare individual and a wonderful resource. I’m in no position to judge the guilt or innocence of two strangers, but there is no doubt in my mind that the story attributed to Ms. Cedano and Mr. Munguia is incorrect.

Sincerely,

John Butchart
4/14/2012