Frederick Walter Forsythe Jr.

Frederick Walter Forsythe Jr. (Fred), age 96, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at his Cherrywood Village Retirement home in Portland Oregon. Fred was born in White Hall Maryland on May 4, 1924 to Fred W. Forsythe Sr. and Gladys L. Forsythe. He attended University High School in Eugene Oregon from 1939 to 1943 where he was a member of the tennis team. After WWII, he continued his education at the University of Oregon earning a BS in Business. As a boy Fred built and flew balsa wood airplanes, His Air Force career starting in 1943, during WWII, allowed him to fly in the real ones – the B-17, B-29, and B-52. Fred was a radar operator, navigator, and bombardier. He served in WWII and the wars in Korea and Vietnam. In January 1953, during the Korean War, Fred's B-29 was shot down by three Russian made MIG fighters. He was taken prisoner and placed in solitary confinement. At one point he was placed in a firing squad as a scare tactic to get him to reveal military information. Finally, Fred was released into the prison's general population after months of refusing to provide information to the enemy. In September 1953 he was released to the United States during a prisoner exchange at the end of the war. Fred retired from the USAF in 1969 with the rank of Major. Fred was awarded the American Legion Certificate of Service For distinguished Service in the U.S. Air Force. In addition, he received the Prisoner of War Medal awarded for actions during the Korean War. In recent years Fred was accompanied by his nephew Ross Baker on an Honor Flight to Washington DC courtesy of the Veteran's Honor Flight Network. While there, he was awarded a personalized Quilt of Valor from the Northeast Oregon Quilters and he also brought home a flag that flew over our nation's capital on VE Day which was presented to him by Senator Ron Wyden. On April 27, 1951 Fred married Helen Grace Beaver in Sacramento California. They enjoyed 64 wonderful years of marriage that lasted until Helen's death on June 15, 2014 at age 101. During their married life they traveled throughout the United States and Mexico in their Airstream Travel Trailer and various other RV's. They enjoyed collecting, buying, and selling antiques. They also enjoyed various arts and crafts. Fred was an avid golfer who enjoyed participating in numerous tournaments. In recent years, Fred and Helen enjoyed many amenities and activities available to them as residents of the Courtyard Fountains Retirement Home in Gresham Oregon. After Helen's death, the widower Fred continued to live at the Courtyard Fountains where he met another resident, the widow Betty Storms. A love story between Fred and Betty developed and led to their marriage on July 1, 2017. Their wedding was the first ever to be held at the Courtyard Fountains and was attended by many friends and family members. Fred was a faithful Christian who attended the 160th Avenue Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon. Fred recently commented how much he missed not being able to attend church services and fellowship with other Christians due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. His fellow Christians, saddened by Fred's death, rejoice in knowing that he will be spending eternity with the Lord in Heaven. Fred is survived by his wife Betty Jane Forsythe, his brother George R. Forsythe, and his sister Sylvia Anne Jordan, and his nephews Dale Stark, Ross Barker, Larry Barker, and Jimmy Hubbard and his niece Kathy Street. He is also survived by family gained through his marriage to Betty – Martha and Bob Cox and Celeste LeDuke. Fred was preceded in death by his first wife Helen Grace Forsythe and his sister Helen C. Forsythe. An interment with Military Honors will be held at Willamette National Cemetery on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 1:30 pm. Please be aware that COVID-19 restrictions require attendees wear masks, socially distance 6 feet or more, and attendance is limited to 50 or fewer people with a maximum of 15 people allowed in the shelter. In addition, there will be a Zoom Virtual Memorial and Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. The following information will guide you to accessing the virtual service from your computer, phone, tablet, or other device. Topic: Fred Forsythe Celebration of Life Time: Jan 16, 2021 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86120715309?pwd=anlLV0JmcjZTelhtVmF1VC9rR2NaUT09 Meeting ID: 861 2071 5309 Passcode: 409702 One tap mobile +12532158782,,86120715309#,,,,*409702# US (Tacoma) +13462487799,,86120715309#,,,,*409702# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 861 2071 5309 Passcode: 409702 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcE7DgLmXs A special thanks to the professional and caring staff at River View Cemetery Funeral Home, 8421 S.W. Macadam Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97219.