In Loving Memory of Frederic Carl Hewett ("Freddy")

Our brother Frederic was suddenly taken from us on September 7th, and our family is still absorbing the shock of losing him. We're asking for help covering cremation and memorial costs during this devastating time.

Freddy was born at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and moved to San Diego before his first birthday. It became the home he never really left. He graduated from Valhalla High School, the University of California, Irvine, and later, flying school, where he earned both his pilot's license and his instructor's license after first learning to fly in college.

But it was languages, history, geography, and culture that truly captivated him throughout his life. By the time of his passing, Freddy could write, read, and converse fluently in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and California Indigenous languages. These gifts took him on extensive travels throughout Japan, China, Korea, and Mexico, to name a few. His connection to Japan ran especially deep. It began in high school, carried him through a year studying at Hitotsubashi University, and led him to study traditional Noh theatre and dance under a respected teacher— a rare mark of the genuine curiosity and respect he held for Japanese culture his whole life.

That same instinct for building bridges between people and places defined so much of what he gave to the world, from tutoring and hosting exchange students to years of work strengthening the friendship between San Diego and Yokohama. He was deeply involved with the San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society, which had honored him in 2019 with the Spirit Award in recognition of his extraordinary service, loyalty and devotion. He also had helped relaunch the House of Japan in Balboa Park.

There's a Japanese proverb once given to him that feels right today: "Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru" — even dust, when accumulated, becomes a mountain. That was Fred. Small acts of curiosity, connection, and kindness, given again and again, until they became something enormous.

We're grateful for anything you're able to give to help our family lay him to rest. But truly, the greatest gift is sharing a memory or story of Freddy, if you have one. Or if all you can offer is sharing this page or holding him in your thoughts, that means just as much to us.

We are still finalizing details for his memorial service, likely taking place in November or December. We'll share updates here as soon as plans are confirmed.