Noted local historian, author, teacher and three-term Marquette mayor, C. Fred Rydholm, died peacefully in his sleep Saturday evening after an eight-month battle with cancer. Known and beloved as a storyteller, mentor and friend to countless numbers of followers and fans both regionally and internationally through his books, travels and speaking tours, Rydholm inspired and influenced the way many think and relate to their personal life-story, their cultural identity and their relationship to the Upper Peninsula’s wilderness heritage.
Fred was an outspoken opponent of the proposed Kennecott mine on the Yellow Dog Plains and a supporter of Save The Wild UP.
A memorial service will be planned in the near future. Memorial gifts will be gratefully accepted by the Yellowdog Watershed Preserve, P.O. Box 5, Big Bay, MI 49808 (www.yellowdogwatershed.org); and the Ancient Artifact Preservation Society, c/o Judy Johnson, P.O. Box 216, Skandia, MI 49885 (www.aaapf.org).
Fred Rydholm at Anderson Lake on the Yellow Dog Plains.
Very nicely written article. I knew Fred from my earliest childhood and loved him dearly. I was heart-broken as a teenager when he married June, but soon came to love her as well. My heart goes out to June at this sad time.
I have read and promoted his books … was in the thro’s of sending him a letter, witb the topic of “he & I were in the same book, but, not on the same page”. DAMN! I hope to invest in some of his books. Marvelous man!
Hello.This article was really fascinating, particularly since I was investigating for thoughts on this topic last Saturday.