Rich Frederick

1907 - 2014

Rich Frederick

BUCYRUS: Richard "Rich" Frederick, 106, passed away peacefully on Saturday night, March 22, 2014. Rich was born August 19, 1907 in Carey, Ohio to the late Frank H. and Leora (Lantz) Frederick. He was one of seven children. Brothers Emil, Paul, Frank, Robert, and sister, Frances, preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother, Judson "Jud" Frederick.

Rich grew up in Carey, assisting his father and learning the grocery trade in the family store, initially called F.H. Frederick Grocery and started in 1894. He graduated from Carey High School in 1925 and briefly attended Ohio State University. He married Lucille Chesebrough of Carey on September 5, 1932. She passed away in 1988.

After his father's death in 1939, Rich managed the Carey store and continued the Frederick grocery business for many years. In 1947 he became a supervisor for Clover Farm stores in Findlay, Ohio, and in 1958 became part owner of Clover Farm Market in Bucyrus. The Carey grocery story, currently affiliated with IGA, is still owned by Rich's nephew, Steve Frederick, and is the oldest family-owned business in Carey.

Rich retired from the grocery business in 1968 but remained an active member of the Person to Person Goodwill delegation of Food Industry Businessmen. With the delegation he traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. The organization, supported by the U.S. State Department and The Ohio State University, assisted members to learn more about their occupational counterparts in other countries and to help other countries understand more about the United States and its citizens.

In 1999 Rich married Phyllis J. Sheriff of Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. Together they enjoyed traveling, visiting friends and family, and playing cards. They spent winters in Florida and summers gardening in Bucyrus.

Rich was an 85 year member of Carey Masonic Lodge 3420 and a 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Carey and St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Bucyrus where he served on the council. Rich was a Boy Scout leader for several years and enjoyed taking his nephews on cross country adventures. He enjoyed years of membership in the Rusty Zippers, a local group of retirees who met every morning to enjoy each other's company and discuss local and national issues.

Throughout his life, Rich was an esteemed member of his community. In addition to being a businessman, he was an avid fisherman and gardener. He was a valued friend and mentor to many. Rich will be especially remembered for his sense of humor, his engaging stories, his love for travel and the outdoors, and his devotion to friends and family.

Rich is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife, Phyllis, his Ohio and Florida family, Colorado step-family, and many friends. Ohio and Florida family members include brother Jud Frederick, sister-in-law Phyllis Frederick, nieces Deborah Jones, Frances St. Hilare, and Mary Nelton, and nephews Paul, Richard, Steve, and Mark Frederick and their families. Colorado family members include step-daughter, Malinda Jones, and her family.

Rich was cremated and will be buried in Oakwood Cemetery. A memorial service celebrating Rich's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 130 S. Walnut St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. A reception will immediately follow.

The family wishes to honor Rich's request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church through Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. To share a memory online, please visit his obituary page at www.wisefuneral.com.