Fred Stephenson

Stephenson, Fred M.
Fred Stephenson was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 4, 1917. He was the son of Rev. A. Turley and Edna Stephenson and brother to his now deceased sister, Martha Jean Sanborn. Fred's father was a Methodist minister and the family moved several times during his childhood as Rev. Stephenson became the Pastor of progressively larger churches in the Chicago area and ultimately served as District Superintendent of the Northern Illinois Conference.
Fred graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana in 1938 and shortly thereafter started his career with John Nuveen & Co. in Chicago and worked there through 1940. He then joined IBM in 1941 in its office equipment division. At DePauw, he met Doris Ruth Olson, the only daughter of Ruth and Arthur A. Olson, Sr. of Evanston, Illinois and sister to Arthur A. Olson, Jr. Fred and Doris were married on November 14, 1942 and together enjoyed over 65 years of marriage.
At the beginning of the Second World War, Fred took leave from IBM to enter the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School at Northwestern and ultimately graduated from the Officers School at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He served as a Navy Signal Officer in the European theater. At the end of the war, he returned to IBM where he pursued a successful career through sales and marketing roles in IBM's data processing/computer divisions from 1945 until his retirement in 1976.
He was a member for over 50 years of Trinity United Methodist Church of Wilmette and served for many years on the Board of United Methodist Homes & Services. He and his family resided for over 35 years in Wilmette and Winnetka, Illinois and for the last eight years he and Doris have been residents of the Presbyterian Home in Evanston, Illinois.
Fred and Doris were intrepid travelers who made sure their two sons went to every state of the Union before embarking on numerous worldwide travels. His love of sailing and intense sense of curiosity led to many unique life experiences for which his family will be eternally indebted.
Fred is survived by his wife Doris and their two sons, Reid Stephenson and his wife Ranada and John Stephenson and his wife Judy both of Hillsborough, California and two grandchildren, Laura Stephenson of Washington D.C. and Peter Stephenson of Tucson, Arizona.
A memorial service and celebration of Fred's life were held Saturday, Sept. 6 in Elliott Chapel at Westminster Place on the grounds of the Presbyterian Home in Evanston.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in honor of Fred Stephenson to the Geneva Foundation of Presbyterian Homes, 3200 Grant Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201-9988. Info: Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home 847-251-8200.