In Memoriam – Our Friend Adrian Freund, FAICP
May 18, 2020
Adrian Freund, FAICP, known to many Oregon APA (OAPA) members, passed away on May 3, 2020. Adrian was an engaged and thoughtful volunteer on several OAPA committees and will be greatly missed. Serving on OAPA’s Education and Outreach and Legislative and Policy Affairs Committees and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Group, Adrian spearheaded Community Planning Month recognition of cities and counties doing great planning, engaged youth at the NW Youth Career Expo, attended APA’s first annual Policy and Advocacy Conference on behalf of the Chapter, and tracked federal policy making, among other activities. Earlier this year Adrian participated in an interview for an OAPA Pints with Planners podcast, which can be accessed here.
Many of us knew Adrian from his work as a planning and community development consultant specializing in plans, development codes, environmental elements, permits streamlining, efficient organizational structures, public involvement, and visioning projects. Others knew him from his many years of public sector service in professional and management roles with agencies across the country, including those in Reno, Nevada; Louisville, Kentucky; Hartford, Connecticut; Austin, Texas; Madison, Wisconsin; and Rockford, Illinois. Still more of us knew Adrian from his tireless interest in and service to the American Planning Association, serving in leadership roles with the Divisions Council and Chapter Presidents Council, and culminating in two terms on APA’s Board of Directors. He was also active at the state level, serving as President for both the Wisconsin and Nevada Chapters, and in a variety of committee roles for the Oregon Chapter.
Adrian was honored by his peers in 2008 by being elected to AICP’s College of Fellows. His FAICP statement reads as follows: “Adrian Freund’s service to communities across the nation, his skills at balancing competing interests, and his leadership positions in the American Planning Association have been keys to his effectiveness. Adrian’s commitment to the planning profession was reflected by his energetic three-decade record of outstanding contributions at the local state and national levels of APA. He has provided positive models of sensitive land use planning with lasting results for many communities.”
Thoughts and remembrances may be sent to Sandy Freund. Sandy asks that contributions be made to the Fellows Fund of the APA Foundation in lieu of flowers and cards — https://www.planning.org/foundation/waystogive/.
Adrian will be truly missed by all of us.
A special thanks to Dave Siegel, FAICP, for contributing to this tribute.