"100 Things To Do Before You Die" Author Dies At 47

LOS ANGELES — Dave Freeman, co-author of "100 Things to Do Before You Die," a travel guide and ode to odd adventures that inspired readers and imitators, died after hitting his head in a fall at his home. He was 47.

Freeman died Aug. 17 after the fall at his Venice home, his father, Roy Freeman, told the Los Angeles Times on Monday.

An advertising agency executive, Freeman co-wrote the 1999 book subtitled "Travel Events You Just Can't Miss" with Neil Teplica. It was based on the Web site whatsgoingon.com, which the pair ran together from 1996 to 2001.

"This life is a short journey," the book says. "How can you make sure you fill it with the most fun and that you visit all the coolest places on earth before you pack those bags for the very last time?"

Freeman's relatives said he visited about half the places on his list before he died, and either he or Teplica had been to nearly all of them.

"He didn't have enough days, but he lived them like he should have," Teplica said.

The book's recommendations ranged from the obvious _ attending the Academy Awards and running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain _ to the more obscure _ taking a voodoo pilgrimage in Haiti and "land diving" on the Island of Vanuatu, which Freeman once called "the original bungee jumping."

It included goofy graphics with each entry, indicating that some activities were "down and dirty," and others "grandma friendly."

The success of "100 Things" inspired dozens of like-minded books, with titles such as "100 Things Project Managers Should Do Before They Die" and "100 Things Cowboys Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die."

Freeman graduated from the University of Southern California in 1983, briefly working for an ad agency in Newport Beach before moving to New York to work for Grey Advertising.

On Sept. 11, 2001, Freeman watched the second plane hit the World Trade Center from his apartment just blocks away. He moved back to Southern California to be closer to his family.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com

Comments

[mosketer]

died after hitting his head in a fall at his home...WOW!! how sad, that doesn't sound adventurous enough.. I could have been doing somethig more exciting in some exotic part of the world...like " CHARGED BY A CAPE BUFFALO" while bowhunting in Africa..

[BClear]

the fact that he wrote a book on the subject demonstrates he had great vision and foresight. At least he died doing exactly what he had on his list to do. Joy is a virtue that most of us have not been able to experience on the same level as he. his untimely death is a testiment to the fact that we should never take our time for granted.....

[JourneyMan84]

100 is the perfect number. I plan to live to 100, if God lets me then 100 things can be compleated. I am only 24 and have compleated about 42 thinigs on my list; It does not have to be a major thing it can be something like help others but as well as some major things like climb a mountian.

[blackjack19]

One-hundred always seemed a little overly optimistic to me. That's why I picked three things to do before I die. I don't want to feel like a total failure on me deathbed.

[Wanderer1369]

You must be a computer geek afraid to leave your mommy's bedroom! You've probably never done 3 things in your life,except, EAT, SLEEP and S**T!! Get a life looser. Join the Marines, all your dreams will come true. Except YOU are a looser. No Bal**! I thought so!!! I'm a veteran and have pissed more salt water than you've passed through you body. I fueled hundreds of Naval ships and have been along side 8 Aircraft carriers! You are a nonexistant intity!!! Lock your door an hide !! BlackJack19 chump!!!

[deltaverde]

And today's winner of the Jim Fixx Memorial Irony Award is......

[clsmithj]

If you read about Elisabeth Kubler-Ross On Death and Dying you will learn that when you die, you live as you are freed from your physical body that prisoned your spirit.

[toochie]

Or you'll return to the dark nothingness that you came from. Your last thought will be " What the f**k was that all about?"

[Badbone]

I hope "live to 50" wasn't on the list. Kidding!

[peachesmahoney]

Okay I'm glad you made that tasteless joke so I don't have to! Nicely done.

[Einstein44]

We definitely take life for granted....Cherish it !!! There are no dress rehearsals and the clock keeps on ticking....

[TrooAmerican]

So.....
how many of his 100 did he get to before dying?
isnt that the question since thats the book he wrote?

[JCane526]

That's in the article...

[realityczech4u]

This ranks right up there with Jim Fixx, the high priest of jogging, dying at age 52 of a massive heart attack following his daily run.

[varpsonic]

some years ago in the New York Times, Man on park bench reading "Why bad things happen to good people" hit in the head with hammer.

[Mort]

Ironic he survived land jumping only to have an accident at home. But then, it's not really a surprise. Living a full life doesn't necessarily mean taking risks and cheating death. Sooner or later it catches up with you. Why push it? I'd much rather live a full, LONG life!

[JCane526]

I think that was the message the man tried to convey in his books. Most of us will never have the time/means to do 1/2 of the 1/2 of the 100 things to do before you die as he did, but the point is to seek out of the ordinary thrills. 100... such an arbitrary number. Why not 10? Why not 200?

The fact that he has probably aided in pushing some people to doing such things was probably an important facet of his life. He seemed to have lived a self-fulfilling one regardless of when his time on this earth came to an end.

R.I.P.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Yes, but living a long life is not guaranteed, no matter what you do.

So, what are the alternatives?

Living the best I can every day is my goal.
However, somedays, the I really feel like doing nothing.
Then my wife and daughter come in to bust THAT up (thank goodness).

[H215]

Very sorry to hear this - he had a great idea that inspired many people. He earned his keep on the planet. Thanks, Dave, and RIP

[groot]

#51..."stay away from the light"

[Emmagoldmanbabe]

I'm glad that he got to do half of the things in his book.

Live every day as if it may be your last.

[scorpioleidy]

God has a wacky sense of humor, doesn't He???

[Brokerhenry]

Life comes at you fast! Live it to the fullest and don not fall and hit your head R. I. P.