Robert Fredricks

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man"- Benjamin Franklin.

Robert "Bob" Fredricks passed peacefully away early on the morning of Saturday June 18th in Tualatin, OR with his daughters Nicole Fredricks-Jackson and Darci Fredricks by his side and the thoughts and prayers of many in his heart. Bob was walking 2-4 hours each day up until 6 weeks prior to his passing, when his body finally succumbed to mounting illnesses that proved too much to beat this time around. Bob was happy and relatively healthy up to that point, living in the Portland Oregon area for the last two years and in Ventura, California for 2 years prior to that. He spent the last few years enjoying classic car shows, visiting local festivals, and going for daily long walks where he could say hello to the acquaintances he developed in every neighborhood in which he lived. People around town always saw him as "that smiling walking guy" and those who had the pleasure of brief conversations with him spoke of his friendly, easy going manner.

As is always the case when a loved one leaves us, Bob has left behind family and friends who mourn the loss but celebrate a life filled with love. Bob's early life was a mixture of time spent on his grandfather's farm on Lake Edward, being a big brother to Jackie Bisson and Jeri Harting, attending Brainerd Senior High School and participating in all sports. A fabulous, natural athlete, Bob was a stand-out in baseball in particular. His grandson, Nolan Jackson, has taken up the mantle of "for the love of the game" which made his Poppy very proud. Although his own participation in baseball eventually waned, Bob stayed active with weight-lifting, walking, roller skating, basketball, and biking throughout his entire life.

Bob's middle years were spent as a family man, moving to different areas of the country with his wife Linda (Hochstetter) and two daughters. These years were spent attending the Seventh Day Adventist Church, raising his girls, modeling, and at various times still battling addictions that started too early in life. His later years were spent sober and happy, content to enjoy life as it happened and to let go of negative energy from the past. He made friends in all parts of the country and did mainly odd-job and construction work in his later years.

There are many family and friends who touched Bob's life at various points of his life, too many to list here. Whether in person or in spirit, please join us in celebrating Bob Fredricks life and the way he changed so many people's lives for the better. If you will not be able to attend his service in person but would like to share a personal story with the family, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] or 18135 Penny Ct Gladstone, OR 97027 and Darci will make sure the family receives your message. Thank you.

Bob is survived by daughters, Nicole Fredricks (Bentley) Jackson (St. Paul) and Darci Fredricks (Bill Freeman) (Portland, OR); son, Troy Ward (Baxter); grandson, Nolan; and, sisters, Jackie Bisson (Deerwood), Jeri Harting (Brainerd), and Lori Walz (Grand Junction, CO). He is also is survived by his nephews and nieces. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Greg, and his nephew, Danny.

A memorial service will be held on July 18, 2016, 11 am, at Brenny Funeral Chapel, 7348 Excelsior Rd N, Baxter. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Lift Garage, a 501c3 nonprofit aimed to move people out of poverty and homelessness by providing low-cost car repair. Donations can be made at theliftgarage.org or mailed to PO Box 6992, Minneapolis, MN 55406.