Iconic Woo doorman Fred Prang has passed away
Fred Prang gets an alley named after himself. Photo: Woolloomooloo
The Senate of the Utrechtsch Studenten Corps reports this in an obituary on their website (links in Dutch, ed.). The association observes a symbolic period of mourning until April 8, because the club and Woolloomooloo are already closed due to the coronavirus. From the 2nd until the 5th of April, there will be a memorial in front of the club of the corps where flowers can be laid that will later be laid on Fred's grave. A digital book of condolence has also been opened.
Fred presumably died of health complications. In 2014, he was forced into sickness benefit and told magazine Quote that he had (had) heart problems, a thyroid problem and six autoimmune diseases including blood disease ITP. He told DUB in 2017: "Every time I go to the hospital they tell me I only have seven days left to live. They already said I would die in 1994, but I have a little angel on my shoulder".
In 2017, Fred retired at the age of 64, and there was a big farewell party for which the everyone in Utrecht was invited. DUB interviewed him about his turbulent years at the door of Her Majesty's First Disco bar. For his door policy and commitment to safety in the Utrecht hospitality industry, Fred received a royal award in 2004. With his appointment as a Member of the Order of Oranje-Nassau, he also received the nickname 'Her Majesty's First Knight'.
Fred with Toon Zwezerijnen in 1974. The dark spot in Fred's teeth is from the golden star which he had placed from his first earnings in the Woo. (from: 'Woolloomooloo: the first fifty years')