Fred Warren Westcott

Fred Warren Westcott, 80, passed away on February 4, 2025, in Beaumont, California.
Born on November 10, 1944, in Hermosa Beach, California, Fred was a lifelong seeker of knowledge and adventure. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from UC Berkeley in 1967, followed by a Master of Science in Management Science from the University of Southern California in 1970. His passion for learning led him to pursue a second Master's degree in Library Science from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1983.
Fred's career was as dynamic and multifaceted as he was. From 1963 to 1984, he worked as a small business and venture capital consultant while also serving as an adjunct professor at USC and IU-Bloomington. During this time, he also worked as a general contractor, building homes with his own hands. In 1984, his work took him abroad to Haiti and Guatemala, where he continued consulting for small businesses and venture capital projects while also assisting overseas Americans and dual passport holders with tax matters. His dedication to service extended to working with the Carter Foundation and other charitable organizations.
From 1997 to 2003, Fred served as the Executive Director for the Rudder Foundation, where he focused on building homes using green materials-an endeavor that reflected both his ingenuity and his commitment to sustainable living. In 2003, he established Beaumont Tax Services as an enrolled tax agent, providing guidance and expertise to clients until his passing.
Fred was a true Renaissance man who constantly reinvented himself, always seeking new knowledge and mastering new skills. He had an insatiable curiosity about the world and shared his wisdom generously with those around him. He found joy in traveling with his beloved wife Denise and writing biographical fiction inspired by his own extraordinary life experiences.
Above all else, Fred cherished his family. He is survived by his daughter Heather Westcott Mendelson; son-in-law Braddon Leigh Mendelson; and grandson Laird Jacob Mendelson. He was predeceased by his son Laird James Westcott.
Fred often said that his life truly began when he met Denise-and she felt the same about him. Their love story was one of deep devotion and mutual admiration, their lives forever intertwined.
His legacy lives on through the many people he mentored and inspired throughout his lifetime. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.