Fred Hempel
 

It is with a heavy heart and the deepest respect for my dear friend the brilliant Fred Hempel that I share the news of his passing received from his family.
Fred was a legend in the world of tomatoes and his innovative work has and will continue to be a source of inspiration to so many.
His friendship was a treasure to me personally and he will be so missed.
I hope his friends in the community of tomato enthusiasts around the world may have thoughts to share so that his family can see the impact of his life and passion for tomato breeding
This is the tribute written by his brother Stephen Hempel

Frederick D. Hempel, 63, passed peacefully in the San Francisco Bay Area on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Fred was born May 11, 1960, in Flint, Michigan. He was raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan as the oldest of five siblings. His early love of nature led him to study Forestry and Ecology at Michigan State University and The University of California Santa Barbara. He went on to earn a Master’s in Range Management and a Ph.D. in Molecular Plant Biology from The University of California Berkeley.

Fred was a great father who loved his children and instilled in them a sense of curiosity, integrity and purpose. His life as a tomato breeder and farmer in Sunol provided a unique space of exploration as well as a living example of passion, drive and determination.

Fred was an educator at heart. He diligently and humbly sought to broaden his own understanding of life, society, and the world around him. He enjoyed the exchange of ideas in an effort to open minds and doors for others. He was an accomplished scientist, writer and teacher. His understanding of plants and genetics evolved into his passion, and professional legacy, as a tomato breeder. His work developing new tomato varieties through Baia Nicchia, Artisan Seeds, and Bene Seeds garnered appreciation and praise from chefs, restaurateurs, gardeners, and fellow breeders world-wide.

Those who know Fred also know of his love for his rescued Greyhounds and Galgos, SSC Napoli, the mountains, volleyball, and the music, artists, and authors that inspired him.

Fred’s enduring spirit lives on in his children, Alex Hempel and Nicole Hempel. He is also survived by his father, Conrad Hempel, and his siblings, Marcia Geurink (Scott), Carolyn Schellenberg (Matt), Julie Hempel, and Stephen Hempel (Monali).

The family will host a memorial celebration of Fred’s life in late December at a date and location to be announced in the coming days.

Fred’s family extends heartfelt appreciation for all of the support received in this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests donations to Native Seeds Search and SAGE Save A Galgo Español (links in the comments below).

He was truly a great guy. I’m speechless. ��

My condolences to his family.
Barb

Very sad and a shock. Too soon, such a loss to his family and this community.

I feel sad. A great intelligent person who was always willing to help when needed has died. He will be missed by me and everyone on this site.:(
Vladimír

Oh my goodness. Devastated. I was lucky to meet him in Oregon at a conference in Corvallis Oregon in Feb 2020. What a huge loss

Stunned and saddened! He gave us so much to think about.
I will miss you, Fred.

I'm so sorry to hear the sad news.
condolences to Fred's family.

Linda

I was deeply saddened this morning to hear of Fred's passing. Too soon indeed for all who were lucky enough to engage with him and enjoy the results of his excellent work. Wishing comfort and support for his family and loved ones.

He has left the world an enduring and delicious legacy. I will cherish even more the notes and seeds received from him over the years.

Wow, I echo the words of many of you ..speechless, stunned and very sad. He, along with Dr. Carolyn, was one of my tomato gurus...someone that I really respected for their knowledge about tomatoes. He was very approachable and willing to share his advice on seeds, often including some extras in my order.

i did not know he was ill.
he and i grew up within a half hour of each other.
and 63 is too young. thats my age. he was less than two months older than me.
my condolences to his family.






keith

Very sad indeed. He will be missed.

Such sad news. He will certainly be missed.

[QUOTE=rxkeith;771524]i did not know he was ill.
he and i grew up within a half hour of each other.
and 63 is too young. thats my age. he was less than two months older than me.
my condolences to his family.






keith[/QUOTE]Seems "sudden". Perhaps something like a heart attack.

There will be no new Artisan Farms tomatoes, and that's sad. His smiling face will not grace his friends' and family's presence, and that's tragic. But we can grow some of the varieties already released: l have some Benevento, Lucky, and Maglia Rosa seeds in my stash, for example.

Fred, "we hardly knew ye"...but we were all touched.

Thanks, and Godspeed.

Sent from my motorola edge (2022) using Tapatalk

I will miss him
Anneliese

So shocking! He was younger than I am, he will truly be missed by many,prayers for the family! Does anyone know what caused his early passing?

Saddened and struck by how fragile life really is. Fred's innovation and persistence was inspirational. Fred, you are very missed! I hope those in Fred's family can feel some comfort knowing he was a cherished member of the tomato world and that he is grieved world wide.

Fred Hempel was a Legend in the tomato Breeder Community.
We all are very sad and we will miss him and I think many of us will grow his varieties next Season to honor him

I will miss him too, Amen!! He is in Heaven with Dr Carolyn. The Angels needed another breeder who protects life, the way Fred did with People, Tomatoes, and Wild Life.


I can speak better than I write.

I can Sing and Dance Better than I can Type.

I will be proud to Sing and speak at his Special Occasion to celebrate his life, Amen!!

Sad news. I will miss his posts on this site :(

My favorite of his introductions is still Blush. My condolences to his family. A true tomato artist.

I was so shocked when a good friend told me those sad news. Some of his breedings are my absolute favorites and have returned into my garden since I have grown them for the first time.

Fred Hempel has become immortal in the tomato-world!

My condolences to his family!

I have 5 packs of seed of unreleased varieties he sent me a couple of years ago.

I'm stunned. So young...

I found this website with many pictures of "Fred Hemple Hands" holding his Beautiful Creations.

I Pray that is Hands in Heaven Hold us as well here on Earth, Amen!!
Especially me, Farmer Joyce Beggs.
[url]https://www.instagram.com/artisan.seeds/[/url]

While I never had the honor of meeting Fred in person, through T'ville I came to feel like I knew him. He leaves to the world quite a legacy of unique varieties, many of which I've grown and enjoyed and several of which are waiting in my seed stash for their turn in the garden. Thanks, Fred for all your contributions. You will be missed.

I am so proud of "Everyone Returning and Committing on The Great Late Fred Hempel. Showing his Family and Loved Ones; that we truly care for each other here at Tomatoville, Amen!! We the Great Farmers of the United States work really hard as we are born with the Spirit for the Love of Mather Nature farming her greatland. Even I was born in New Jersey with the Spirit of my great-grandfather who Loved to farm in this First Black City in America here in Virginia. that is lost to the Nation. This love of farming is from God giving us the ability to Love Nature.

I truly believe that COVID-19 hurt the Farming Industry, especially Breeders and Seed Companies like mine. But we love Nature so much, that we do the job of 4 people to get the work done, Amen!!

I pray that young people will take Fred Place to save his company [url]https://store.growartisan.com/[/url]

Very sorry to hear about Fred leaving us. He was a great guy and I admired and respected his achievements in our tomato world. I will miss him ! My condolences to his family.

I Pray that Fred Hempel's Family and Loved ones Here at Tomatoville have a "Great Thanksgiving. He was able to Fulfill his Life by Farming and Creating Life in his Creations Like Anneliese and so many here. I feel he is in Heaven with many Great People "Like First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Dr. Carolyn, and a Great Senator who helped me and my kids with a Bill we got throw Congress when I was a young girl and the Nuns in New Jersey.
Thinking about Fred Hempel and The Late Dr, Carolyn this weekend, gave me the strength to keep studying the Law and helping my Family, and my Historical Farm as I end this Farming Season Amen!!. Also, there was so much Love among people out shopping today.

May Everyone have a Great Thanksgiving; with Hearts of Forgiveness and Pure Love for all People, Amen!!

Farmer, Joyce Beggs

Friends can PM for a link to the invitation from Fred’s family to attend the memorial virtually
Karen Olivier