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).


I thought the tomato community here would wish to know of Fred’s passing.

Take care everyone and tell your friends you love them
Karen Olivier

I am so sorry to hear this.
His work was an inspiration to many of us, and his thoughtful discussions also.
Gone too soon!

My condolences to his family

RIP Fred and condolence to his family

I am just heartbroken. His tomatoes are some of my favorites, especially Green Bee.
I loved his Facebook posts sharing music videos, greyhound rescues and restaurants featuring his tomatoes.

An amazing human being.

So awful to hear, I was a big fan of Fred's work.

Such sad news. I didn’t know Fred personally but was always impressed he took the time to have online discussions with me and many others and humbly shared his knowledge with us. He has left us with a great many varieties and I hope his breeding projects continue. Farewell Fred.

Sad news, condolences and comfort to his family and friends.

Very sad indeed. I have enjoyed a number of his tomato varieties. He will be sorely missed!

Such sad and unexpected news. He sure will be missed not only by his family but by the whole tomato community. His knowledge of genetics, his love of teaching, his passion for growing tomatoes and his unending patience with others made him a truly remarkable man and made him one of the foremost grower/breeders in the tomato world. My hat is off to you dear sir. Thank you for all that you shared with us.

Horrible news. Crushed.

Sorry to hear about that - my condolences to his family and friends. May he RIP.

I'm so sorry to hear of Fred's passing. I will think of him, with sadness, whenever I grow my favourite tomatoes which he bred, and next season, I will grow all the Artisan varieties that I have in his memory.
Linda

I miss him
Anneliese

I didn't know Fred personally, but am a fan of his work. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.
Condolences to his family, friends and tomato world, he will be missed.

I am sad.
Vladimír

The wizzard who grew magic at his farm in Sunol, and Mexico... How we are going to miss that beautiful man.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends. Fred had such a wonderful impact on the tomato community and his memory will live on through his excellent creations.

Uh-oh...the growartisan site now says "This site is being worked on so sales are paused for the moment. Thank you for your patience."

I hope this doesn't mean that seeds will not be available any longer from there...that would be a tremendous loss. I'm still in shock that Fred is gone, having corresponded with him numerous times in the last few years, but it would be worse if his hybrid varieties are lost to the community of his fans. It wouldn't be uncommon for a small business to just disappear after the owner passes away, it's not clear to me that the co-owner that he started the breeding business with is still there, whether the new entity he was starting to commercialize the Benevento family is up and running and what access that entity would have to his hybrid "recipes" and breeding lines. Maybe Karen O. knows if there is family involved that's in a position to keep things going.

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!