Randy Friesen Educational Fund
As promised, we've set up a fund to help fulfill Dad's dream of paying for college for Zach - Randy's youngest son. Zach is a Trombone Performance major at UoP (University of Pacific) in nearby Stockton, CA.

Here's where you can find out all about the fund and why this was so important to Dad.
How To Contribute:

Please make your checks out to the "Randy Friesen Educational Fund"

Mail them to:
        Robert J. Rothman, Esq.
        601 California St, 16th Floor
        San Francisco, CA 94108


Why a Fund?  Back to top
When Randy was a teenager, he was passionate about the trombone. He first picked it up in 2nd grade, and by the time he was a Senior in High School, he was good enough to tour Europe with the U.S.A. High School All-Star Band. He often joked that the Conn 88H trombone he played then was his first wife, and Mom (Suzanne) was his second. It wasn't literally true, but it gives you an idea of how much music - and the trombone - meant to Dad.

As it often does, life had other plans for him; namely a wife and a family and he never made his way as a professional trombone player. Still, Dad found ways throughout his life to play his horn to minister to people and to put a smile on more than a few faces, and a song in more than a few hearts.

Zach picked up the Trombone in 8th grade (they call that a late start in musical circles), and fell in love with it. As it turns out, Zach is extremely gifted musically, just like his Dad. He has a natural talent and an inherent passion for music - especially the trombone. Most importantly, though, he has an amazing work ethic. He takes none of his talent for granted. He practices constantly, and is endlessly working on his craft. He tutors and mentors younger musicians whenever he can, and even plays his horn in church, just like his Dad.

All of that talent and hard work, along with some fantastic and helpful teachers, have allowed him to flourish and grow into a premier trombone student at one of the top musical under-graduate schools in the country; the University of Pacific (UOP) in Stockton, CA.

It was very important to Dad that Zach be given every opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming a professional Trombonist, so Dad was doing his best to pay the outstanding tuition and living expenses. Zach started his Junior year this fall (2007), and while he has both music and academic scholarships, UoP is a private school and the scholarships don't fully cover the tuition and living expenses.

What are the Funds used for?  Back to top
We've set up this educational fund for Zach in Dad's name simply because so many people have asked for a way to contribute specifically for this, and it was important to me that we provide an appropriate and credible way for people to do that.

As a general guideline, the first priority for the fund is to cover the critical expenses necessary to keep Zach in school. Mostly that's the outstanding tuition. However, he needs his instruments to stay working, needs books and school materials, and needs to cover what little living expenses he has as well. He's pretty good at picking up paying gigs, but he still needs help with things like that.

The cost for Zach's outstanding tuition (not covered by scholarships, grants, etc.) until he graduates will be between $20,000-$30,000.

That is, obviously, a lot of money. Dad was doing everything he could, but he wasn't exactly a man of wealth. Dad was trying to cover these costs out of his ongoing pay. He didn't have savings or investments to speak of that would help. While there are many additional options that can help pay for school (grants, school loans, financial aid, etc. - all of which we're investigating) the remaining balance needs to be paid at some point.

Regardless of whether the fund ever is able to cover the full cost of Zach's schooling, it will help a great deal and allow Zach to focus on his studies and his music.

Having said that... if I've learned just one thing from all that's happened since Dad died it's that you should never underestimate the generosity of people, especially people who knew Dad!! If somehow there is money remaining after that, it will go towards Zach's graduate school expenses with very similar guidelines.

Who Manages the Fund?  Back to top
It's overseen by myself and two family friends, Robert Rothman and Dee Samuels. They are both trusted family friends in addition to being two exceptional Family Law Attorneys that Dad worked for over the last fifteen years.

I'm still learning about funds like this and how best to administrate them, so I asked Robert & Dee to help me in setting up and administrating this fund, and they were kind enough to help. They have more experience and will help ensure that the funds are used as promised.

Robert processes all of the donations and deposits them in the fund, while Dee and I coordinate on dispensing the funds as necessary.

Questions?  Back to top
If you have any more questions about the fund, I'll be happy to answer them. You can email me here.


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