Born July 28, 1946, in Chambersburg, PA, David Eugene Freet was the son of the late Charles D. Freet and Mabel Emma Miller Freet. Graduating from Chambersburg Area High School in 1964, he went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Lycoming College in 1968, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. A former Officer of the United States Army, David began a 40-year career with the United Telephone Company of Pennsylvania. After serving 23 years there, he went on to become Vice President (1991-1996) of the Pennsylvania Telephone Association (PTA). In 1996, he became the sixth President of the PTA, which had been in operation for 106 years. While under his leadership, the PTA developed substantial cash reserves. This financial stewardship was a common theme in any of the roles he touched. During his time there, he also served the telephone industry through outside Councils, Advisory Boards and Trust Boards. He was an active member of Rotary and Pine Street Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder, part of their Financial and Security Task Forces, as well as their Pastor Nominating Committee. In 2001, David began serving on the Lycoming College Alumni Association Executive Board, where he was elected President in 2007. His role at his alma mater Lycoming was one he cherished and was perhaps most proud of as he got to serve in providing for the College, and thereby its students. In July 2008, as his 62nd birthday gift to himself, David fulfilled his final professional goal of retiring early to begin working on his personal goals of spending more time with family, friends, hobbies and philanthropical interests. There were numerous family visits and family trips, private vacations, continued success in hunting and numerous golf outings – he and Jane even managed to play Pebble Beach (albeit not by invitation). Throughout it all, he continued to serve his community, especially Lycoming. In 2012, David was elected to Lycoming College's Board of Trustees, where he remained an active member until his passing. He served as chair and vice chair of the Technology & Systems Committee, as well as a member of the Executive Committee, Student Life Committee, and the Enrollment Management & Marketing Committee. David believed strongly in the importance of a first-rate education and directed his energy and philanthropy efforts to support the same. In addition to being on the board, both he and his wife Jane contributed to providing scholarships and he was honored to have the Freet Plaza named after them. In late July 2020, David was first diagnosed with Glioblastoma Cancer. The week before his surgery, he played several rounds of golf, walking the "billy goat" course at the Country Club. After 6 weeks of radiation and chemo treatments, he was able to enjoy some of his favorite activities again. After his second surgery in early May, physical limitations prevented many of the things he enjoyed; however, he handled this all with great grace, dignity and even wit. Throughout his life, David was an avid hunter (the freezer never lacked venison), outdoorsman, golfer and Porsche enthusiast. He was also an antique collector and a collector of vintage telephones and telephone memorabilia. He could frequently be found at the Harrisburg Country Club golf course, a shared hunting cabin in Perry County, or running 'honey-do' errands for Jane in his Porsche. David passed at home on September 28th, 2021, with his family and their dedicated Wheaten Terrier, Sophie. He was predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth (Betsy) Strite Freet, in June of 2001, and their two infant sons, who died following birth. He remarried in 2003, and is survived by his wife, Jane Edgar Freet, and their 2 sons, John Ashton Edgar and Richard Sheldon Harader and their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Freet, and Betsy's siblings: Katharine Strite Caldwell and Dr. James A. Strite, Jr., and their children and grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Pine Street Presbyterian Church on October 9th, at 11 am, and will be followed by a celebration of life at the Harrisburg Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lycoming Freet Endowed Scholarship Fund (c/o the Advancement Office, Lycoming College, 1 College Place, Williamsport, PA 17701). David will be laid to rest in a separate private family service.
