Richard Freeman, a "Quiz Kid" of radio fame in the Forties, became ACBL’s youngest Life Master in the Fifties and by March 2000 had claimed 15 North American championships and two world championships.
Freeman graduated from high school at the age of 12 and enrolled at the University of Chicago, earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts by the age of 15. At the age of 21, he had earned another bachelor’s degree (in business administration) and a law degree from George Washington University in DC.
Freeman became the ACBL’s youngest Life Master in 1952 at the age of 18. In the mid-Fifties, he began directing and became legendary for his speed with a pencil in the days when games were posted and scored by hand.
He won his first North American championship in 1955 — the Men’s (now Open) B-A-M Teams — playing with Edgar Kaplan, Norman Kay, Ralph Hirschberg and Al Roth.
Freeman is best known, however, for his partnership with Nick Nickell and for the success their team — Bob Hamman–Bobby Wolff, Paul Soloway, Jeff Meckstroth–Eric Rodwell — enjoyed for many years: the Spingold in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999; the Reisinger in 1993, 1994 and 1995; the Vanderbilt in 2000 and the Bermuda Bowl in 1995 and 2000.
Freeman says he considers bridge to be more than a game, more than a sport — "it broadens your perspective." He credits his wife, Louise, with teaching him how to win.
