Hotmail‘100 Things’ co-author Dave Freeman dies at 47
Writer of the travel guide and ode to odd adventures fell and hit his head
 AP Dave Freeman, co-author of "100 Things You Do Before You Die" poses for a photo in Joshua Tree National Park in Joshua Tree, Calif. Freeman died Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008, after hitting his head in a fall at his home in the Venice area of Los Angeles. He was 47. |
 | Slide show |
 | America the beautiful Celebrate our country’s splendor with photos that capture its vast and unique beauty, from Niagara Falls to the West's sun-bleached cliffs. |
Special feature |
 | 50 reasons to love the U.S.A From Alaska to Maine, there is so much to explore in America. Here are 50 reasons to pack your bags and discover some hidden treasures. |
Participate: Travel |
Photo gallery: Your inspiring and unique travels TODAY viewers share their favorite photos of the unique and mesmerizing places that continue to inspire them. |
VENICE, Calif. - 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.
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.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM BOOKS |
 Books Section Front |
| Add Books headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links
Resource guide