Fred Poe

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Nov 27th, 2015

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Death Date: Nov 27, 2015

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Biography: Fred Poe, aged 81, died November 27th, 2015. Born to Fred Poe Sr., a World War One hero awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government and Hortense LeLaurin whose father emigrated from France to Pine Bluff in opposition to his native country?s role in the infamous Dreyfus Affair. The Poe family were early pioneer settlers in Saline County before Arkansas statehood. Educated at Little Rock High School and the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, Poe graduated from Vanderbilt University where we wrote the college musical comedy and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Upon graduation Fred moved to San Francisco becoming part of the Beatnik subculture and playing ragtime and jazz piano in clubs. Drafted, he served as a translator in Germany in the US Forces and did graduate work at Mainz University in Eastern European History. He apprenticed in the travel agency field with agencies in Montana and Washington State and returned home to open Poe Travel in 1961 as likely the youngest travel agency owner in the country. Poe Travel has had international success in its field and is now operated by his daughter Ellison and partner Margaret Farrell Kemp. The family lived for two sabbatical periods in Vienna and the agency now boasts a branch office in Istanbul. Poe married Tina Bohlinger of Billings,Montana in 1961, a union resulting in divorce 24 years later. Children include Ellison LeLaurin Poe of Little Rock, Antoine ?Tony? Poe and wife Laine Rosen Poe of Little Rock and one grandchild Jane LeLaurin Madden. He is also survived by a former son in law Joe E.Madden Jr of Little Rock and former brother in law the former Lt Governor of Montana John Bohlinger of Helena. Also surviving is his sister Betty Stevenson of Louisville and a host of nephews and nieces. Poe, a lifelong and proud liberal, was active in the Civil Rights Struggle among other accomplishments having sat-in at the Memphis Airport Restaurant which resulted in its racial integration. He is a member of the ACLU, a former president of the Little Rock SKAL club made up of travel professionals and was a lifetime member of the Country Club of Little Rock As a travel writer he enjoyed great success in local publications, published at Bicentennial Guide to the USA for the German speaking market and was frequently quoted in such publications as the NY TIMES, the CONDE NAST TRAVELER, TRAVEL AND LEISURE and the WALL ST JOURNAL. He was a serious scholar with a fine library on the subject of the Nazi Holocaust and a dedicated art collector with especially significant items from the Russian Avant Garde and 20th Century Austrian schools. A world traveler from his first solo trip at age nine on the Rock Island?s ?Doodlebug? from Little Rock to El Dorado, Poe visited 168 countries (a country being defined as one which issues its own postage stamps) include such arcane destinations as Tristan da Cunha, the Faroe Islands, Afghanistan?s Wakkan Corridor and Upland Togo. Poe Travel was the first American travel agency to arrange tourist travel to the Peoples? Republic of China as that nation?s Cultural Revolution wound down with son Tony Poe led an early group of Americans to North Korea. He loved automobile trips and drove in each of the 50 states and every province and territory of Canada save Nunavut which he visited only by air. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, December 3rd, 2015 from 3:30 until 5:30 on the Mezzanine level at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers memorials should be made to the Arkansas Arts Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com

Condolences(25)

Kathryn LeLaurin

#25

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry to hear of Fred's passing. He was a wonderful man as well as my cousin. He will be missed.

IRENE PALNICK

#24

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Fred and my late husband Rabbi Elijah Palnick were friends and very synpatico. He planned many trips for us. Our trips- nostalgia for Newfoundland, where my father imigrated to from Europe as a young man. I still have many relatives there and have been there. Fred loved Newfoundland and we talked about it often. Condolences to Ellison and Tony and Laine Rosen. May you go from strength to strength

Diane Sachs

#23

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Fred played an enormous "invisible" role in my life and that of my children. When I was a single mother in the early 70's, Fred encouraged me (by letter, our only means of communication) to take my 3 very young children on numerous trips to Europe. Fred was a fourth traveler on all our trips. My kids would constantly say "Fred says we should do this." And although they were very young they would always contribute to the running account we would keep of our trip to send to Fred on our return. It was our way of reciprocating for the instructional letters he would write us. Although I only met Fred once, his influence on me and my family was life-long.

Sherry Curry and Grainger Ledbetter

#22

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My first big Little Rock social event after Grainger Ledbetter and I married was the Poe party at 4312 South Lookout. I will never forget it. A spectacularly fun and lively party, Fred and his piano were the life and soul of it. He was a warm, welcoming, great-hearted individual and an amazing life long friend to the Ledbetter family. As for so many others he designed some amazing trips for us (none on the beaten path.) He will be long remembered.

Doug Connah

#21

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Fred Poe was my closest friend At Vanderbilt in the '50s, and even then he was a sophisticated traveler with expert knowledge of getting along in the Big World. After graduation in 1956 we went our separate ways, but lucky for me we reconnected after 50-plus years. In October 2013 my wife and I visited Little Rock, where Fred and Ellison treated us royally: dinners at Ashley's and Doe's, and a fine cocktail party at Fred's apartment. Fred then took us on the road, to Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs and to Bentonville, where we toured the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Museum of Native American Art. Whew! I'm just sorry that we never got a chance to reciprocate.

Elaine Scott

#20

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My late husband and Fred were in high school together, so it's been a long friendship which I was lucky to join when I married. In recent years Fred and I would run into each other at the movies and share our opinions of what we'd seen. I last saw him at the Clinton School talk by Jean Hamilton, another old friend. It's sad to lose him, but good to know he's traveling still. My sympathy to Ellison and Tony.

Joe Martin

#19

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Fred & I were best friends as children before & in in Pulaski Heights Grammar School. Ridgeway where Fred grew up & Linwood Court where I did were an easy walk, and we were in-and-out of each other's homes. Then LR school board stopped mid-year graduations and I moved up, putting Fred & me a year apart from the 9th grade & on in high school assemblies. I always loved Fred's touch piano ability & enjoyed hearing him in LRHS We lost touch completely in university & later years, but I always liked to hear news of Fred through mutual friends when I got back to Little Rock for my class of '51 reunions. I would love to have known him better as adults - such an interesting life!

Kimberly Melton

#18

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

The travel industry and the community as a whole have lost a legend. I feel very fortunate to have worked with Fred and to have had him as the pianist in my wedding. Who else but Fred would surprise everyone by replacing the ?Wedding March? with ?Happy Days Are Here Again?? He was a very positive influence to be around. He had patience, persistence, and was very quick witted. A man?s worth is not defined by wealth and property left behind, rather he is defined by the impact he has on others in life?and Fred impacted so many people. What a great legacy.

Carolyn Johnson Mahan

#17

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I am so sorry for your loss.

Although I didn't know Mr. Poe, we were second cousins through his mother Hortense.

God bless you all as you go through this difficult time.

Ben Combs

#16

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Fred Poe must certainly be the 'world's greatest travel agent'. He taught three generations of Arkansans HOW to travel...with passion and with style..and with an appreciation for the cultures and traditions of places visited.
Most of us could not imagine travel abroad without Fred's 'famous notes' in our jackets.
Many of our lives happiest memories includee Fred Poe as a major contributor and inspiration.
What an amazing life and what a wonderful legacy.

Mary Healey

#15

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Dear Ellison and all,
My very first trip Fred carefully planned for me was around the world. He was an amazing man and his "notes" for the trip were full of details. No matter the country or city he would described it in great detail, which way to turn when leaving the hotel, how many blocks to walk and whee to turn directions or the best restaurant,a tour of a Church, or museum, worthwhile or not, the season and what was open and what was not. Often places tourists did not frequent. Most often a well kept secret and a very special place and an experience in and of itself.Everything was like that with Fred, he included anything one would want and need to know to make for a great experience. He had traveled the world and made a study of it.
A visit with Fred and reading Fred's notes were nearly as fun as the trip. And each and every trip there after.
He was the best, a charming man who will be missed,
Mary Healey

Andrew Meadors

#14

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I have been proud to have Poe Travel as a client for many years.I have been friends with Ellison since the 70's. They love what they do - and it shows. Susan and I rely on his notes whenever we travel abroad. I want to congratulate Fred on A LIFE WELL LIVED. Andrew Meadors.

sarah Jane Smith

#13

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Fred planned the most beautiful trips for Mose and our family...the ones I cherish now! Unbelievable experiences he gave us and Link and I still reminisce about a few he was fortunate enough to experience. Thank you Fred Poe..Thanks for all those fabulous memories....Mose and I were so grateful we had those times together...and so are our children.

William Poe

#12

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Sorry to hear about the loss of Fred Poe Jr. He was very kind to participate in the Poe DNA Project that I sponsor at Family Tree DNA. We were third cousins, once removed. Our family settled in 1850 near Sheridan, AR in a community called (old) Belfast, where our common ancestor, John Poe (1785-1859)and his family settled, coming with many other families from Fayette and Tuscaloosa Counties in Alabama. It was a pleasure and an honor to know Fred.

Randy Ney

#11

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

I have known of Fred most all of my life and had the opportunity in recent years to establish a very close relationship with his two children, Ellison and Tony.
Fred had an unblemished reputation in the travel field, an industry I have chosen as my second career. Fred has been a role model to me.
I know he had to be proud of both Ellison and Tony, both of whom possess many of his qualities.
i wish I had known him better.

Arthur McLean

#10

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

What a loss for all of us!! I have such wonderful memories of his planning trips for me and I learned so much from him. I'll miss his love of travel and his sense of adventure. A funny memory of him: years ago at the old Sam Peck hotel I used a stall in the men's room. On the partition was the scribbled graffiti "Fred Poe has never been out of Pulaski County".

I'm just sorry he didn't die in some exotic place but I know he's glad it didn't happen at home.

Gene Pfeifer

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My first memory of Fred goes back almost 70 years, when as one of my sister Carolyn's best friends, he would bang away on our piano singing his riotously funny original compositions. In later years he planned some wonderful trips for me and became a very good friend. I deeply admire his zestful life and offer sincere condolences to all who were privileged to share in it with him.

Michael Upsson

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My deepest sympathy to the family of Fred. Ellison, Jane, Tony, Lane and Joe and Steve. Fred was a fun person and full of life. Jim and I will have you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Michael Upson and Dr. Jim Aukstuolis.

Carolyn Cobb

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My deepest sympathy to Tony and Ellison. I am honored to have worked with Fred for many years. My fondest memories are of his "geography class" he taught for his agents. He didn't just treach travel, he taught history and made his travels come to life for all of us! He will be missed!

Pam Henline

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

What a man, and what a life! I feel lucky to have known him.

Betty Shannon

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Ellison & Tony - Mother was so sad to hear about Fred as I was - you have our deepest sympathies - Fred was such a special person - so full of life & he lived it to the fullest. Wish I could bring mother to the celebration - but she is just not well enough to understand.

Francis Bond Donald

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Tony and Elison I was so very sorry to see where your great Dad died. I have such wonderful memories of him at our house when I was young. He will be missed by so many. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Francis Bond

Mary Dee Taylor

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

Fred was an amazing man, who sent many of us on fabulous trips and enriched our lives with his insights. Although I know how hard it is for Ellison and Tony to lose their beloved father, we can all take comfort in the fact that he was doing what he loved best. My sympathy and good wishes to all his family; great memories are the things that will sustain you in the weeks to come.
Mary Dee

Larry Graham

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

My deepest condolences over the loss of an dear old friend. I am pleased that I had the opportunity in getting to know Fred and he will be missed by so many that had the pleasure to work with him. He was such a treasure to so many.

To Ellison and Tony, my deepest sympathy. My prayers and thoughts are with you. The obituary was wonderfully written.

Larry

Cecil Tennant

Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am

We have lost a true travel professional. Fred was "Mr. Travel" in the entire travel industry. It was a pleasure to have known and worked with Fred for many years. He has left Poe Travel in good hands with his daughter and son in control. Fred was a founder and charter member of our SKAL Club. He represented our travel group at many international meetings. We will miss him and his knowledge of our world. No one could possibly know all the details of travel like Fred.
Cecil Tennant

Fred Poe

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