Fred Hempel passed away

[Ginger2778]

He was only 63. I'm so sad. What a funny gentleman, and a huge contributor to the tomato world.

[PlainJane]

Just devastated.

[Ginger2778]

Sorry, I didn't see Karen's post about this.

[worth1]

God speed my friend.

[Christinajomd]

So sad to hear this!
RIP dear sir

[peebee]

Oh how sad. He will be missed in the tomato world.

[karrr]

Saw this on his instagram page, couldn’t believe it. Dear Fred!

[BigVanVader]

So sad to hear of Fred's passing. He was always very kind & generous to me. I regret that we had lost touch over the last few years. He is in a better place now, and his legacy will live on.
Rest in peace Friend

[KarenD]

Just saw this. So sad to hear this.

[peroto777]

Never knew him personally, but RIP friend.
Poor man, sounded so enthusiastic about his projects last spring and then...I wonder if the culprit was Pfizer or Moderna.
Everyone acting as if it's completely normal for relatively still young people, with no known major health issues, to suddenly and unexpectedly pass away, when we all know it isn't.

[Old chef]

So Sad! So Young!

RIP

Old Chef

[Setec Astronomy]

Never knew him personally, but RIP friend.
Poor man, sounded so enthusiastic about his projects last spring and then...I wonder if the culprit was Pfizer or Moderna.
Everyone acting as if it's completely normal for relatively still young people, with no known major health issues, to suddenly and unexpectedly pass away, when we all know it isn't.

If you knew anything about it, you would know he had life-long issues, and wouldn't be posting this nonsense.

[Christinajomd]

RIP
See you in The Heavenly Garden

[Terry]

I believe it was Fred who was working with Darrel Jones + Keith Mueller to develop a tomato variety that would actually grow in near-freezing weather, which would change the Industry forever for sure. Somebody correct me if they know more about that... I haven't talked to these guys in years because of relationship-destroying nonsense at tomatoville...