The Universal House of Justice sent the following message to
all National Spiritual Assemblies on 29 January:
We feel great sorrow as we mourn the passing of humble,
loving, steadfast servant of the Cause of God, Fred Schechter. His wide-ranging
achievements, spread over many decades, are the fruits of a life lived with
selfless devotion to the Faith. Not long after enrolling as a Baha'i, he
answered the call of the beloved Guardian for believers to go to Africa, and
there he was named a Knight of Baha'u'llah for French Somaliland. He also
travelled as a pioneer to several countries in Latin America. His efforts to
encourage Baha'i youth were a notable feature of his thirteen years as a
Continental Counsellor in the Americas, years which culminated in his
appointment to the International Teaching Centre. His wisdom, kindness, and
good humour, combined with a practical approach and friendly demeanour, enabled
him in so many settings to advance the Cause and to help others develop a
capacity for service.
In the Holy Shrines we will supplicate for the progress of
his illumined soul, now reunited in the realms above with his dear wife Julia.
To his three children, as well as other family members, we offer our
condolences. We call for memorial gatherings to be held in his honour in all
Houses of Worship and in Baha'i communities throughout the world.
The Universal House of Justice
(Baha’i World News Service)