Fred L. Drotar

Fred Drotar
08-16-1930 – 07-07-2024
This past Sunday, Fred Drotar passed away at home in Newport, Michigan, with
his sons, Tom and Bill, and daughter, Mary, by his side, just short of his 94th
birthday. His incredible journey started in 1930 in Detroit, along with 11 brothers
and sisters. Times were hard, but he made the most of it by working various jobs
to help the family during the Depression. When he turned 20, he was drafted into
the army and, after his discharge, married his neighborhood sweetheart, Adeline
Carroll. They remained married for 68 years until her death two years ago.
By 1960, Fred and Adeline had four children, and he was working various jobs
while attending night school at Lawrence Tech on the G.I. Bill. He earned a
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, then a Master's in Systems
Engineering. In 1962, he received his first break and became a test engineer at
Ford Motor Company. He quickly moved up the ranks because of his smarts and
tenaciousness, and by 1964, he earned a major promotion - a big deal for a
nascent engineer. He wouldn't stop there - and by the time he retired in 1995, he
was the program manager of the Windstar vehicle.
During all of this, Fred picked up his first camera in 1965 and never put it down
again. Ever. He definitely had a knack for capturing a moment on film, and his
photos were featured in various magazines and newspapers. In 2017, he had his
first one-man photography show. Birds are what captured his eye and his
ultimate passion was for exotic ones found in the swamps of southern Florida, or
regal Osprey here in southeast Michigan. Fred could always be found wandering
fields with his camera and huge lens, looking for that perfect shot.
Fred also traveled the world, whether on tours with his wife or trekking
Annapurna, Nepal, with his daughter Mary. He was never bored and instilled this
trait in all his children. They each emulated his passion in their own ways and, in
doing so, had richer, fuller lives because of it. They will miss their father terribly
but will always see his handprint on each of their accomplishments. His life was a
life well lived, and one cannot ask for more than that.
Visitation will be held at Martenson / Allore Funeral Home on 203 E. Elm Ave.,
Monroe, Michigan, on Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 3 PM-7 PM, with the rosary
at 6 PM.
The Mass will be held at St Charles Church in Newport on Friday, July 12, 2024,
at 11:00 AM.