Who is Fred Owens from Return from Tomorrow and what is their importance?

Fred Owens is one of George's patients. Fred has spent time with George, working through relationship issues, and it is George who first determines that Fred has lung disease. When Fred goes for testing, he learns that he has only months to live. He also says that the time spent working on his problems has been wasted, prompting George to share his story. George apparently reaches Fred, who reports a significant change - that he no longer hates his former employers but now spends his time praying for them.