Fredrick Charles Harteis

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Fred Harteis was born September 8, 1948 to Lawrence and Ruth Harteis. He grew up one of fourteen children in the small town of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. It was there an adorable blue-eyed boy, full of spunk and personality learned the will to win, the drive to exceed. These things were engrained in the young farmhand from birth. Strong work ethic was essential to making the working dairy farm a success.
He attended Bishop Carroll High School where he continued to perfect his drive. He excelled in athletics, academics and 4H to name a few. After high school he attended Delaware Valley College. In typical Fred fashion, 4 years was not enough, he headed to Penn State for his masters degree with his new bride, Linda. He met his beautiful wife while working an internship at the McKean County courthouse where Linda worked. After their first meeting, they were inseparable, together ever since.
After college Fred taught woodshop and agriculture. Fred and Linda had just settled into their new lives with their first-born, Tonya, arriving 2 years later. Around this time, Fred was introduced to a new business plan. Fred knew this business was his vehicle to create the life of freedom he envisioned.
Fred was committed; he knew the door to success was just cracked open. He didn't just walk through, he kicked the door down and the fairytale began. Fred's drive for success led to unparalleled growth through the Amway business. In no time at all Fred and Linda achieved Emerald, Diamond and Double Diamond status. A true rags to riches story. Along his torrid pace of growth in business Fred and Linda welcomed two more great gifts, their second and third child. Fred's three greatest achievements were his children; Tonya, Freddy and Annie.
Personal gain was not success enough for Fred. He wanted more. He set out to change the lives of others in the same positive way his life was changed. He spent thousands of hours counseling, mentoring, speaking and teaching anyone who had a dream of financial freedom.
He praised God with every victory and asked God use him to help others. Fred pushed harder still, growing business all over the world. He found himself speaking to and motivating tens of thousands of eager businessmen and women worldwide. To his family, friends & business associates he truly lived up to the moniker "Big Fred".
Fred returned to his roots and purchased farmland to conserve, protect and preserve the outdoors he loved so much. Thankful for the success he found, Fred realized every dream, living a very full life. He was a talented and avid hunter and marksman. Fred and his son Freddy traveled the world to the most exotic places hunting. Fred attained the grueling grand slam (rams) and the big five (African safaris) to name a few. Like everything else he submersed himself in, he became the best.
As Fred grew in life and business, so did his need to help others. He has been a faithful philanthropist. If there was a cause he believed in, he supported it 100-fold. He has met and learned so much from prominent world leaders and humbly applied their wisdom to his life's work.
Through his drive and success Fred created the most amazing life for his greatest treasures; his wife and kids. He was a loving husband, doting father and proud grandfather or "Poppi" to his ten adoring grandchildren. They have wonderful memories of experiences very few are fortunate to have. Thankful for and humbled by their many blessings, his family was most thankful for the strong leader and provider they had in their one of a kind patriarch, "Big Fred" or "Papa Bear".
Fred will be missed greatly, but, like he once told a friend, "It's the quality of the life, not quantity of the life that matters most." Big Fred fit more quality into 64 short years than most could into 100.
"You will be missed, but we will see you again. Now you can talk face to face with your biggest mentor and inspiration, the Lord. Until we meet again we will be listening for your lessons, we can hear you getting our attention…"hello!?!"
All of our love,

Your Loving Family"
There will be viewings on Thursday, June 13 and Friday June 14 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Jesse H. Geigle Funeral Home, 2100 Linglestown Rd. Harrisburg, PA.
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 10:30 AM at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 6150 Allentown Blvd. Harrisburg, with a viewing one hour prior.
To send condolences to the family please visit www.geiglefuneralhome.com or our facebook page.