The Foreman I knew was kind, generous, and determined to set an example

Heavyweight great took his religion seriously and shared strong bond with Muhammad Ali after shedding surly image of his younger days

- Thomas Hauser

George Foreman died on Friday at the much-too-young age of 76. His aura of strength was such that there were times when it seemed as though he'd live forever.

People know about George Foreman the fighter and George Foreman the product pitchman; holding a small American flag in the ring after winning a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics; dethroning Joe Frazier in Jamaica; losing the title to Muhammad Ali in Zaire; the quixotic ring comeback that culminated in a 10th-round knockout of Michael Moorer to reclaim the heavyweight crown; and George Foreman's Lean Mean Grilling Machine, which earned him more than $100m.

I lived through those times. But I was also privileged to know George as a person.

I met Foreman in December 1988 shortly after I began working with Ali on the book that would become Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times. I was in Las Vegas for the taping of a documentary titled Champions Forever. The producers had brought Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Larry Holmes and Ken Norton together to reminisce on camera. It was an opportunity for me to interview them.

Foreman's "second ring career" was under way by then. He had scored 13 victories against lacklustre opposition and shed the surly image of his younger days. But he seemed to have a more promising future as a preacher than a fighter. We talked about Ali for several hours. I liked George.

That was the start of a friendship. In the decades that followed we talked many times, including conversations for values-oriented articles that I wrote: George Foreman on religion, George Foreman on character, George Foreman on family, George Foreman on setting an example.

Each time, the generosity of Foreman's spirit shone through.