OBIT: Fred Anderson, Icon of Rancho San Clemente Neighborhood

From a submission:

Last week, we lost Fred Anderson, a dear friend and neighbor who was three weeks shy of his 99th birthday.

Fred was an icon in our Rancho San Clemente neighborhood and he was loved by everyone especially by the children and teens.

Fred was a world traveler, prize-winning jam and pickle maker and an WWII Army Veteran. He touched so many of us who marveled at his two mile daily walks and healthy lifestyle. Fred was in better shape than many of us who are 40 years younger. He was true hometown inspiration and he leaves us with his valuable secrets to staying young. Eat healthy, be positive and exercise daily. Fred will be forever remembered and missed.

Frederick W. Andersen

September 8, 1915 – August 17, 2014

Frederick W. Andersen passed away peacefully three weeks prior to his 99th birthday at his home in San Clemente, CA. Born in Kiel, Germany on September 8, 1915, he immigrated with his family to the United States at the age of 12.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Ruth Trebing Andersen of Rockville Centre, NY. He is survived by his four daughters; Margery Einstein and her husband Albert (Seattle, WA), Barbara Andersen (San Clemente, CA), Judith Katri and her husband David (Medina, WA) and Marilyn Dwight and her husband Thomas (Arroyo Grande, CA). He was blessed with having 12 devoted grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren (with 3 more arriving within a few weeks).

After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in Accounting, Fred worked on Wall Street for two years prior to enlisting in the Army. Upon completion of Officer’s Candidate School, Fred was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers and was stationed in Europe for 3 years during World War II. At the conclusion of the war, while resuming his accounting career, Fred spent 8 years in the Army Reserves where he attained the rank of Lt. Colonel prior to his discharge.

After 20 years of employment in a variety of financial management positions with companies on the East Coast, Fred and his family moved to California where he accepted the position of Assistant Treasurer of Hewlett Packard. During the 15 years Fred was employed by HP, Ruth and Fred traveled extensively. This inspired them to create the Homestead Travel Agency, which they both happily managed for the next 13 years.

After his retirement from HP, Fred remained actively involved with the Company. He was a founder and the first president of the Hewlett Packard Retired Employees Club (HPREC). For many years, Fred and Ruth conducted land and sea excursions for the Club’s members. Avid travelers, Fred and Ruth visited almost every country in the world and sailed on more than 50 cruises.

Fred was a devoted community volunteer and utilized his accounting expertise as a Board Member of the local chapters of the American Red Cross, United Way and the Salvation Army. He also was Senior Warden on the Vestry of Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos.

Twelve years ago, planning for the future, Ruth and Fred moved from their home in Cupertino, CA to the Gardens Town Square in Bellevue, Washington and enjoyed living near two of their daughters and their families. For the past seven years Fred has lived in San Clemente with his daughter, Barbara.

Fred loved his family and looked forward to attending the Andersen family reunions that Ruth and he planned each year. He was a mentor to his children and grandchildren and inspired many others to live life to their fullest potential. In his later years, Fred enjoyed painting landscape scenes from the photographs taken during his worldwide travels. His award winning strawberry jam and pickles were in great demand and he spent many hours in the kitchen making bread and German delicacies.

Fred was admired and respected by all who knew him and his sense of humor and “can do” attitude will be greatly missed. Private interment will be held at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach, CA. Those wishing to honor Fred may send donations to the Memorial Fund at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 200 Avenida San Pablo, San Clemente, CA 92672.

PHOTO Back row: Nathan Smith, Adam Ferrier, Brittany Ferrier, Kelly Mathiesen, Darian Nourian, Casie Shuffles. Front row: Fred Andersen (age 97) and Suzy the little dog. Credit: Suzanne Ansari