Fred DaMert

1946 - 2015

Frederick Allen DaMert

July 5, 1946 - July 17, 2015

Fred DaMert- husband, father, inventor, business owner, light wizard, sunset/moonrise photographer, enthusiast of all things outdoors and artful, flew to the rainbow in the sky July 17, 2015, he was 69 years old. He grew up in Piedmont, California and spent his life living on all sides of the wonderful San Francisco Bay. Fred was a social man with a passion for hiking the High Sierra's, cycling on Mount Tamalpais and sailing the San Francisco Bay; his life was cut short due to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) which he contracted from his military service. He often said going to the Vietnam War was "the best gift in the worst package" because it taught him to appreciate and love every moment once he returned home. Despite his limited physical endurance from the illness his smile and positivity never left, and he always dreamed of returning to the mountains he once rode. He taught us to live past the suffering of seeing him sick and just enjoy being alive together now. Fred passed away peacefully in his home in the Kent Woodlands and is now smiling warmly in our hearts.

When he returned back to The Bay after serving, oh how lively he lived! He grew out his post-war buzz cut and his once straight hair turned into a free-spirited curly fro. He attended Merritt College and SF State where he studied anything that ended in Â'ology'. In 1973 living in San Rafael he created a prism out of acrylic. Accidentally he took the mold out too soon and the prism bent into an arc creating a rainbow shape to match the color. This inspiration sparked the beginning of what was to be a 40 year long career creating educational toys and gifts with his company based out of Berkeley, The DaMert Company. From solar system mobiles, glow-in-the-dark star stickers and brain teaser puzzles, his products, and beyond that, his personality, ignited anyone who came in contact with the same imaginative awe he was experiencing.

We'll never forget how Fred's love always shined stronger than the pain. He was a spirited man thanks much in part to his grounded and loving, as well as, DaMert Company business partner and Ph.D. Rocket Scientist wife, Gail DaMert, whom he is survived by. Fred passed on his wildness and dance moves to his son and daughter, Brian and Sara DaMert who (and he would be the first to tell you if you met him) play in rock and roll bands together called The Tambo Rays and WATERS. Fred is also survived by his artistic sister Mary Ann Cleary and Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame husband Michael Cleary, along with his niece Kelly Castaneda, her husband Francisco and their son Sebastian, and his niece Amanda Chase, her husband Matt and their son Drexel. They will all admit Fred was always the best person to sit next to at family gatherings due to his quick wit and funny stories.

Fred was a kind man who only wanted to love, inspire and make others laugh and enjoy themselves as much as he enjoyed life himself. Even facing this debilitating disease not once did his smile vanish, it only grew bigger and bigger and brighter and brighter. His final months alive were full of happiness, cheer and wine surrounded by friends and family. He lives within those who's lives he touched so passionately and lovingly, and will always be thought of at any sight of natures beauties. A life celebration is being planned for end of August; contributions in lieu of flowers may be donated to ALS Association Golden West Chapter. Thank you Fred for showing us to dream beyond this reality.