Frederick G. Johannes

I met Fred because I am Robert Betsinger's wife. We spent many interesting hours in conversation. I remember him being one of the most thoughtful and caring men I have ever met. He once brought me a small electric Christmas tree that he had spent quite a long time looking for at the mall. I can just picture him searching for just the right one because he would not bring something that was not just perfect. Of course, he was quite a foodie and brought us some Limburger cheese for the holidays and we could not bear to have it near us. He also liked hot food with lots of hot sauce and covered in black pepper. He was very kind about any food that was prepared for him. He was very fond of our little French Bulldogs and always enjoyed being with them. So many memories of a very fine person. He will be missed.

I worked with Fred at the UW Physical Plant. Fred's wit and intellect gave a delightful spice to any conversation I had with him. I am sorry to hear of his death. He has been missed since his retirement and many people at the Physical Plant and in the buildings Fred cleaned are saddened to hear of Fred's passing away. My prayers are with his friends and his family.

An informal memorial gathering in Madison is being planned for either Sept or Oct for people who knew Fred to get together and share memories, and to support one another. More details will be posted here as soon as the date, time and location are set.

We had known Fred since 1972 in Iowa City. We lived in the apartment above he and Bonnie. We've been good friends all these years and wrote each other often. Fred had a unique way of describing things. He had a disdain for shopping. We would kid him at Christmas about "hitting the malls". He called them "spider webs". His letters were full of "Fredisms". Office buildings were "vertical factories". Madison in winter was "Siberia". Women's makeup was "war-paint". The list went on and on. Fred had a great knowledge of history and could get into dissertations. He loved architecture and was a great tour guide when visiting Chicago. Mostly he was a kind and generous friend who will be dearly missed.

Fred had a great sense if humor, and was the kind of guy one thought of respectfully and fondly over the years. He served at Con Tien, Viet Nam, a base that received more incoming hits, Im told, than any other base camp in our nation's history. See ya on the other side Marine. Greg Bennett Manitowoc Wi.