Born in Austin on September 13, 1955 to Karen Thatcher and Warren Stone Freund, he was a wonderful son, father, brother, uncle and friend. He attended Casis Elementary, O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School. Then he received a bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford University and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Thatcher never met a stranger. From an early age he would make friends everywhere he went. He knew the names of every coffee barista and sales helper at his routine stops. His life-long love of reading and deep curiosity and interest in people, led him to a career as a writer. The acclaimed non-fiction book, Objects of Desire: the Lives of Antiques and Those Who Pursue Them, 1993, remains a must read for antique enthusiasts. Another fascinating book, The Python Trail: An Immigrants Path from Cameroon to America, 2015, was written in collaboration with Richard Afuma, whom he met while riding in a cab in Portland, Maine. Most recently Thatcher wrote memoirs and gave trainings and talks about capturing our own life stories. “Remember. Reflect. Explain.” he would tell his audiences.
This warm, funny and sweet man is survived by his beloved daughters, Katharine Sims Lin Freund Knight and her husband Anthony Knight, of El Paso; and Anna Carrie Hammond Freund, of Northampton, Massachusetts; his parents Karen and Warren Freund and his sister Martha Freund Thomas, of Austin; and his four-legged companion, “T-Bone.”
A private family service will be held in Austin.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Austin Pets Alive.
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