Dr. Frederick O. "Fred" Tietjen

TIETJEN Dr. Frederick O. "Fred" Tietjen, M.D., age 85 years, of Osage Beach, Missouri, a former Jefferson City resident, went peacefully home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 20, 2010, at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Fred was born June 24, 1924, in Cole Camp, Missouri, the son of Ernest J. Sr. and Mary Lucille Selover Tietjen. Fred moved with his family to Jefferson City where he graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1942. Fred fulfilled his dream of becoming a physician at the University of Missouri and Washington University in St. Louis. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at New Orleans Charity Hospital-Tulane University and took subspecialty training at Georgetown in Washington, D.C. After serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, Fred returned to his hometown where he established Jefferson City's first orthopedic clinic and the first subspecialty hand surgery practice in Missouri. It was there that he met, courted, and married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Tulenko in 1956. Together for 54 years, they raised six children who gave them 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Fred's life mission was to serve the people of Central Missouri as a physician. To that end, he spent countless days, nights, weekends, and holidays "on call" for Central Missouri hospitals. He was privileged to serve as team physician for the Jefferson City Jay's football program alongside his good friend, Head Coach Pete Adkins. He was proud of his success in uniting the Osteopathic and Medical professions in Central Missouri. In the hours he was not working, Fred poured himself into the Kapital Kicks Band, a swing orchestra he helped establish in 1957. Transitioning into retirement in 1980, he relocated to Osage Beach where he established another thriving swing band, the Lake Jazz, and contributed extensive time and financial support to the Lake Community Orchestra, the Lake Area Arts Council, the Jim Widner Big Band Jazz Summer Music Clinics, and the Hilton Head Community Concert Band. Throughout the years, he was unwavering in pursuit of excellence as a jazz saxophonist, faithfully performing with his bands until 2009, when his health would no longer allow it. Raised in Jefferson City's First Presbyterian Church, Fred came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. After moving to Osage Beach, in 1980, he found a new church home at Harper Chapel United Methodist Church. Grateful of his many blessings, Fred gave freely of his gifts, savoring every opportunity to serve at the church. Fred is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann (Tulenko) Tietjen; his children, Laurie (Tom) Painter of Wichita, Kansas, David (Jill) Tietjen of Denver, Colorado, Susan (Tom) Henz of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Tom (Charisse) Tietjen of Petroskey, Michigan, Dan (Karen) Tietjen and Doug (Marta) Tietjen, both of Kansas City, Missouri; and his sister-in-law, Faye (E.J.) Tietjen of Jefferson City, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents; his big brother, Dr. Ernest John (E.J.) Tietjen; his grandson, Aaron Benson, and his great-granddaughter, Abigail Erdman. A memorial service will be conducted at a later time. Private graveside services and entombment will be conducted Thursday, February 25, 2010, at the mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Harper Chapel United Methodist Church at Osage Beach, Missouri. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com