Cynthia Keller Sanchez
My favorite Fred story is when I was asking about taking time off during our blackout dates. I was explaining to him that this was the only time my spouse could go so I would like to do the same. Frederic wasn’t familiar with the term so I said significant other. I wasn’t out to the leadership at work at the time and after bad experiences in other jobs I was hesitant. “Oh husband!” He said. His smile of understanding faded when I shook my head and said “No, spouse”. “Yes! Husband!” He proclaimed, still not quite understanding. “ No, wife!” I said. Instantly he said “oh shit, I didn’t know! Yes you have to have vacation together”I left that conversation feeling seen. The following day we had a kitchen line-up and he went on to explain that if anyone needed to make vacation plans with their spouse he paused to make eye contact and give me a proud smile, please just come to him and they could work it out. Frederic was the first boss I’d come out to and he made sure to let me know that he was accepting and someone I could feel safe with. That’s who he was and that is what his legacy will always be. Someone who was always willing to make a joke or sing a silly song to make a connection or break the ice. I learned to lead with heart because of him and I’m forever grateful to have worked with someone as caring as he was.