In Memoriam: Kent Fretwell (1960–2018)

NAFA is saddened to report the loss of Regular Member Kent William Fretwell. The Pacific Northwest Chapter member lost his short battle with cancer on October 27. He is survived by his daughters Melissa and Kelsey, his loving wife Amy and her two sons Dalton and Jacob, and grandson Mason.

Fretwell was Fleet Manager for Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS).

NAFA Accreditation Development Committee Chair Gary Lentsch, CAFM^®, Eugene Water & Electric Board Fleet Services, said of Fretwell, "Many of us had the privilege of working with Kent...At the time of death, he was serving as Vice Chair for the chapter. On behalf of the Oregon Public Fleet Managers Group and NAFA, we extend our deepest sympathy to Kent’s family and friends."

"Kent was a trailblazer within the fleet industry," said NAFA Regular Member Paul Chamberlain, Clark Public Utilities Fleet Services. "He was instrumental in keeping (our) group together and was always willing to participate for the good of the industry. We will miss you."

Fretwell's colleagues with the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) said,
"Kent took the time to get to know people by name and also to understand what they did. He did this so he could provide excellent customer service, of which he was a master. He also did this because he cared. We went through the downs of life with Kent...We were also there for the good times. (He was) a friendly person who loved life, loved his job, loved having folks tell him that his section was the best thing DAS did for state agencies, and the list goes on and on."

"There is a saying: 'Leave your mark not your memory.' You did well Kent, you left your mark on all of us in a positive way."

A statement from Fretwell's family: "We could tell you where he was born and his favorite hobbies, but there is something much more important about Kent - which is what he taught us. Life is short and often brutal, and the best way to battle that is with a good laugh and with cheer. He has made both our world and us stronger (and if you knew him, strong-minded).

"Life is what it is: wild and short. We have lost the war but won so many battles. We promise you that those who knew you will never stop talking about you. Everyone we know will forever remember you, and everyone we meet in our life will know you through us.

"It’s all good dad."