Date: 11/7/24 6:15 am From: alison wagner <alikatofvt...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] update on Fred Pratt
I am incredibly thankful that I had a chance to visit him Tuesday night. I wrote him a letter and intended to mail it to him, but then figured out I could squeeze in a visit after work to go down to Middlebury. I had to compete with MSNBC, but Fred obliged and muffled the volume so I could read my letter to him. I really needed a good visit with him before leaving the states this weekend.
I'll look forward to that hug on Saturday night!
Safe travels, friend!
Ali
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lucie Lehmann" <luciemlehmann...>
To: "Vermont Birds" <VTBIRD...>
Sent: Thursday, November 7, 2024 8:51:36 AM
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] update on Fred Pratt
Ali, my friend, I am so sorry about Fred. You have been a wonderful friend to him, and I hope that comforts you as you get ready to take your leave of him.
I’ll hug you when I see you in Bogota on Saturday night.
xxoo
Lucie
> On Nov 7, 2024, at 8:39 AM, alison wagner <alikatofvt...> wrote:
>
> Good morning,
>
> I am sorry to put this on the list serve, but feel that those that know Fred would want an update. Fred has been a valuable mentor to many birders in Vermont...
>
> Fred is now in Hospice in Middlebury. Several friends have been able to visit him since his downfall, which began this past Monday. He is very tired, but is thankful to have visitors. The last report Martha Adams received stated that it is likely he will quietly slip into a coma soon. Thankfully, he has not been experiencing any pain. His son John will be able to get back to Vermont late tomorrow.
>
> Yesterday Caitlin Cusack, a Forester with VLT who has been instrumental in seeing Fred's vision of the land trust project at the Pratt Refuge on Ward Hill come to life, visited Fred yesterday. Fred told her he saw 181 species of birds in Vermont this year. Pretty remarkable for a 91 year old.
>
> I will pay tribute to him, especially over the next few weeks, when I am out in nature listening and watching birds. The heart breaks of losing Fred, as well as other cataclysmic events this week, can be eased, and comforted by stepping outside.
>
> Ali
> Huntington
