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'100 Things' Writer Dies in Home Accident

AP
posted: 83 DAYS 8 HOURS AGO
comments: 86
filed under: Obits
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LOS ANGELES (Aug. 26) - Dave Freeman, co-author of "100 Things to Do Before You Die," a travel guide and ode to odd adventures that inspired readers and imitators, died after hitting his head in a fall at his home. He was 47.
Dave Freeman

Dave Freeman

Freeman died Aug. 17 after the fall at his Venice home, his father, Roy Freeman, told the Los Angeles Times on Monday.
An advertising agency executive, Freeman co-wrote the 1999 book subtitled "Travel Events You Just Can't Miss" with Neil Teplica. It was based on the Web site whatsgoingon.com, which the pair ran together from 1996 to 2001.
"This life is a short journey," the book says. "How can you make sure you fill it with the most fun and that you visit all the coolest places on earth before you pack those bags for the very last time?"
Freeman's relatives said he visited about half the places on his list before he died, and either he or Teplica had been to nearly all of them.
"He didn't have enough days, but he lived them like he should have," Teplica said.
The book's recommendations ranged from the obvious - attending the Academy Awards and running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain - to the more obscure - taking a voodoo pilgrimage in Haiti and "land diving" on the Island of Vanuatu, which Freeman once called "the original bungee jumping."
It included goofy graphics with each entry, indicating that some activities were "down and dirty," and others "grandma friendly."
The success of "100 Things" inspired dozens of like-minded books, with titles such as "100 Things Project Managers Should Do Before They Die" and "100 Things Cowboys Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die."
Freeman graduated from the University of Southern California in 1983, briefly working for an ad agency in Newport Beach before moving to New York to work for Grey Advertising.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Freeman watched the second plane hit the World Trade Center from his apartment just blocks away. He moved back to Southern California to be closer to his family.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-08-26 07:04:36
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GOOD READ?
308 votes
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Indyguy302

01:44 AMAug 27 2008

I wonder if he got to do the things on his list?

AVG RATING:
(0)

RSkillsta

11:31 PMAug 27 2008

A 100 Things You Should Do Around the House Before Hitting Your Head And Die.

AVG RATING:
(2)

Queenofsafety

10:02 PMAug 27 2008

Dave Freeman, thank you for sharing your adventure ideas. May you Rest In Peace knowing you gave it your all.

AVG RATING:
(3)

Wenatchi

08:49 PMAug 27 2008

I wonder if Heaven was on his list and if he knew how to get there.

AVG RATING:
(5)

Drose455

08:03 PMAug 27 2008

As life goes, we all know that we can die by accident or illness no matter what age we are. We have to enjoy life, we have to let go of out pettiness and ill feelings of others. Many of us are not in a postion to do a lot of traveling, but we can enjoy the beauty of each day and as human beings, we can also make this day special for someone else. Empathy is not a school degree!

AVG RATING:
(2)

Kearnspalmbay

07:02 PMAug 26 2008

Death smiles at all of us, so we've no choice but to smile back. God bless you man, you will be missed

AVG RATING:
(3)

Echoheightsinc

06:59 PMAug 26 2008

I guess getting sheaaaaat faced and falling down was on the list.LOL

AVG RATING:
(4)

AguarDIANAngel36

06:46 PMAug 26 2008

"I hope that when I die that I have not an ounce of talent left in me and I can say to the good Lord..I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck

AVG RATING:
(6)

Wilhite

06:43 PMAug 26 2008

For over thirty years, I've been all around the world countless times, and I've seen many things. Wherever I go, the sky is blue and the trees are green. Beaches. Mountains. Rivers. The stars and the Moon. Cities, small and large. Cities, new and old. There are good people and bad people; good times and bad times. If I could live a hundred years, I would live it peacefully with someone I love, and my own garden would be enough.

AVG RATING:
(6)

LHTE

06:37 PMAug 26 2008

He died Aug 17. The story comes out Aug 25. If it had anything to do with race, politics, or religion, it would have been headlines that day. It must have been a domestic dispute with his gay lover, so it will be kept quiet.

AVG RATING:
(6)

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