Frederick Charles Spott

Frederick Charles Spott of Clarks Summit died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, in the arms of his loving wife and best friend, MaryAnn. They would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on Nov. 17.

Born in Scranton on Dec. 30, 1935, son of the late Matthew and Jeannette Williams Spott, he was a graduate of Scranton Central High School and was then accepted to the Pennsylvania State University on a boxing scholarship. While at Penn State, he was president of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, PSU Student Chapter, as well as a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity. Upon graduation, Mr. Spott was employed by Sprague and Henwood as a drilling technician on the West Virginia Turnpike. This work was interrupted by a two-year tour of duty in the United States Army, beginning with a Strac Infantry outfit, a special forces group, to a research and development project on the Tiros Satellite program. In 1964, he began employment with the Pa. Dept. of Transportation as a civil engineer trainee and worked his way up to assistant district engineer. While at PennDOT, Mr. Spott co-authored a book on Bridge Construction and Inspection and a Field Guide computation book for Pa. highway inspectors. He also obtained a Class A registration copyright in the Library of Congress for a book titled "Highway Engineering Fundamentals for the Professional Engineering Exam." In addition to the Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering, Mr. Spott received a Certificate of Engineering in training from the state of Pennsylvania, a Professional Civil Engineering license, a Professional Land Surveyor's license, a Professional Real Estate Salesman license and a Sewage Treatment Plant Operator's license. In 1976, Mr. Spott began his own company, Frederick C. Spott and Associates, a civil, mining and environmental engineering firm, and F.C. Spott Equipment Rental Company. He continued those endeavors until the time of his death.

Mr. Spott was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Schiller Lodge No. 345, a lifelong member of the Penn State Alumni Association and a PSU football season ticket holder for over 50 years; the German American Society and the American Society of Highway Engineers.

Fred will be remembered as a selfless man of the greatest integrity and most exceptional character, as well as being kindhearted, generous, loyal and humorous. Fred, a humble and dignified man, enjoyed the simple things in life, especially spending time with his family. Fred truly lived by the words, "honor, duty, trust." He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him, including his friends at Elaine's.

In addition to his beloved wife, MaryAnn, Fred is survived by his five children, whom he referred to as his greatest accomplishments. They are his sons, Frederick M. and wife, Rachel, Dalton; and Matthew L., Blakely; his daughters, Jeannette, "Gigi" O'Hora and husband, Joe, who was not just a son-in-law but a dear friend to Fred, Scranton; MaryAnn, San Antonio, Texas; and Gretchen Dougherty and husband, Troy, Gwynned, Pa.; four grandchildren, who brought such joy to him, Mikayla and Rebekah Spott; and Jack and Flynn Dougherty; two brothers, Matthew and his wife, Ann, Scranton; and Thomas, Fred's faithful companion, and his wife, Barbara, Scranton; a sister, Jeanne Barnes, Scranton; two sisters-in-law, Peggy Talamo and her husband, Sal, Doylestown; and Suzanne Tielle and her husband, Frank; Old Forge; mother-in-law, Angeline Maglio, Scranton; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his father-in-law, Louis Maglio.

The funeral will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Countryside Community Church, Clarks Summit, with services by the Rev. Dr. Jean-Pierre Duncan, pastor. Entombment with full military honors, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. All those attending the funeral are asked to proceed directly to the church.

Friends may call Monday, 4 to 8 p.m., at the Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1250 St. Ann's St., Scranton. Masonic services will be held at 7 by the Free and Accepted Masons, Schiller Lodge No. 345.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Trauma Unit Fund, c/o Clare Dych, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.