Frederick B. Kaehler

Frederick Benjamin Kaehler was born June 20, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, to Arnold and Edna Mae Kaehler, the first of their six children. He passed away peacefully on September 1, 2017, in Fort Collins, CO, after several years of declining health and loving care by his family and caregivers, In between those two dates was a life very well lived, leaving an inspiring and meaningful legacy of love and kindness for everyone he met. Fred spent his childhood in Minnesota, including many summers working on his uncle's large farm. That agricultural, hard working upbringing formed his life long values and led him to eventually complete his Bachelors' Degree in Animal Husbandry from the University of Minnesota and a Masters Degree in Extension Education from Michigan State University. But like many others of the Greatest Generation, he first enlisted in the Coast Guard to serve his country during World War II, leaving for boot camp five days after graduating from high school. Fred served in the Coast Guard aboard the USS Tahoma, training for combat and protecting our waters. Upon his honorable discharge from the Coast Guard (and after spending VJ Day in Times Square!), he continued his service to his country by serving in the Navy Reserves and began his studies at the University of Minnesota. There he met his truest love, Alyce, and they married on July 9, 1949. Fred began his 32 year career in the USDA Land Grant University Extension Service as a 4-H Agent in Anoka County, Minnesota, where he and Alyce began their family and lived for ten years. In 1962, they moved to Colorado, where Fred worked with 4-H youth all around the state as a State 4-H Youth Specialist, based at CSU, until retiring from the Extension Service in 1985. Continuing his desire to help children and his exemplary safe driving practices, he became a bus driver for PSD, and later a vehicle transfer driver at AVIS, always sharing his kind and gentle nature with others. He was a 55 year member of the Fort Collins First United Methodist Church and a 35 year member of the Fort Collins Lions Club, faithfully serving both in many leadership capacities over the years. In his spare time, he was a very talented wood worker, fixer of cars, caner of chairs, a fan of jazz and marching bands (particularly their brass sections) and he never met an auction that wasn't full of treasures to bring home. By far, the greatest joys in his life with Alyce came from loving her and from raising their four children, Bruce, Jill, Mary Beth, and Brian, all of whom grew up in Fort Collins, became strong 4-Hers and developed successful careers following their parents' example of service to others. Fred was tragically preceded in death by his son, Bruce Kaehler, Coast Guard Hospital Corpsman Second Class, during a helicopter rescue mission in the Atlantic Ocean in 1979. Bruce was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal and later the Bruce A. Kaehler Memorial Medical Clinic was built and named in his honor. That facility continues to this day to serve the thousands of active duty military personnel in the Cape Cod area. Both of these events were tremendously meaningful to Fred, but losing his son would forever remain the chapter of his life that affected him the hardest. Fred is survived by Alyce, his wife of 68 years, whom he adored, and three of his children, Jill Kaehler Post Fasken (Scott), Mary Beth Kaehler Solano, and Brian Kaehler (Karen), as well as Bruce's wife, Yvonne Kaehler. He was also immensely proud of and deeply loved and admired by his five granddaughters and their families, Jamia Solano Johnson (Ryan), Kelsey Post Hopping (Andy), Abbey Solano McCormick (Matt Piper), Dannika Solano, and Anna Fasken, as well as his four (almost 5!) great-grandchildren, Braydin McCormick, Archer Hopping, Van Johnson, and Wren Hopping. His siblings, Jane Starr (Clark, deceased), Jim Kaehler, Laurel Winsor (Frank), Margaret Anderson (Hans), and Winston Kaehler, along with Alyce's siblings, Earle Scott (Dottie), Russ Scott (Anna, deceased), and their extended families were always an important part of his life and he relished spending time with each of them. The last years of Fred's life were supported by many wonderful organizations and dedicated, highly trained caregivers. His entire family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Xavier Herrera and his staff, the visitation team from First United Methodist Church, Todd King and the staff at Visiting Angels, all the staff at Morning Star Assisted Living and Memory Care, and everyone at Fort Collins Good Samaritan Village for their dedication and skill supporting Alyce, and for helping Fred live each day to the fullest possible, no matter his health concerns. Your love and support are appreciated beyond measure. Following a private family interment, a celebration of Fred's life will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover St., Fort Collins, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Foundation, the Colorado State 4-H Foundation, or the Fort Collins Lions Club, in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Please feel free to leave condolences and special memories of how Fred touched your life on Bohlender's website at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.

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Frederick B. Kaehler

June 20, 1927 - September 1, 2017