Bob Frederick was an outstanding and unique individual. Kansas University was extremely fortunate to have had his services and influence as an athletic director for 14 years, from 1987 to 2001.

Unfortunately, he served at a time when, in the eyes of some, raising money, making money and winning championships, no matter what this entailed, took precedence over the low-key, quiet, modest approach that characterized Frederick’s administration.

Most of those critical of Frederick’s manner of running the athletic department were strong supporters of the university but wanted the football team to win more games and for Frederick to be more of a glad-hander.

They believed a winning sports program was the school’s most effective and visible “front door” from which to invite and encourage people to take a look at the university. Today, eight years after Frederick stepped aside, there is considerable debate among many KU alumni and friends about the relationship and relative importance of athletics and academics on Mount Oread.

Frederick oversaw a department whose teams won 32 conference championship titles and had 41 academic All-Americans, but that wasn’t enough for some who didn’t like Frederick’s understated manner.

Consider the words used by a number of writers in the past few days in expressing their thoughts and admiration for Frederick: a gentleman, decent, honorable, high standards, caring, ethical, moral, concerned about student-athletes, a wonderful person, loyal, a family man, competitor, good sportsman, a class act, unassuming, high values, respectful, soft-spoken, deliberate and a totally decent human being.

The word “class” was used time and time again to describe the 69-year-old Frederick.

By his manner, personal conduct, knowledge and respect throughout the nation’s intercollegiate athletics community, he represented the university and the state in a superior manner whether in Lawrence or throughout the state or the entire country. He enjoyed and merited the respect of his peers. He represented what is good about intercollegiate and scholastic sports and the importance of clean, fair, ethical and honest competition.

Frederick was proud of his university and both proud of and loyal to those with whom he worked throughout his career. Even though he did not want to step aside as KU athletic director, he took this disappointment in stride and did not engage in any public discussion or criticism of those involved in the action.

His death is a major loss. About the only good thing that can be said about the situation is that he had this terrible, tragic accident while doing something he thoroughly enjoyed: biking.

The manner in which he lived his active and successful life should serve as an example for others to try to match, whether in the field of sports, academics or other endeavors.

It also points out the importance of enjoying and appreciating every single day.