Fredericus Koeleman
Fredericus Koeleman
Fredericus Koeleman
Fredericus Koeleman
Fredericus Koeleman
Fredericus Koeleman

Obituary of Fredericus C.H. Koeleman

Fredericus C.H. Koeleman (Fred/Freek) passed peacefully in the morning of January 8, 2019 at the age of 92 after a 10+ year battle with Alzheimer’s.

 

Born in Breda, The Netherlands on February 21, 1926, he was always the proud Dutchman! Fred was a very generous, loving, courageous man. He was a very strong man with a gentle hand. He was a kind and honest person.

 

At 17, Fred joined the Dutch resistance. He was the youngest member of the Royal Netherlands Army, unit Stoottroepen 44. After the surrender of Germany, he volunteered with his unit to help in Indonesia. While in Indonesia, Fred met and fell in love with Tine Lie. They married on February 5, 1949 (70 years ago!).  After the military, he worked a little while as a supervisor at a rubber plantation before he went into the printing business.  In 1958 he moved his family (wife Tine and 2 children, Martin and Frederica) back to The Netherlands, where Charles was born, then to California in 1959 where Clasina and Fredericus Jr were born.

 

About 1962  he started his own business, Fred Koeleman Printing Machinery Repair and Service!  For the next 50 years Fred spent most of his time in his blue work uniforms!  He worked hard, becoming a homeowner and putting his 5 children through Catholic Schools and still making time to take the family camping, fishing, to the beach or on road trips or going to each of his grandchildren's sporting events and taking each of them to his beloved San Diego Socker games.

Fred was a loving and proud husband, father of 5, grandfather of 10 and great-grandfather of 3. He is loved and his presence will be missed by all of us.

 

Fred was a people person. His customers will remember the Dutch cookies he always brought with a smile.  He looked forward to playing cards with friends while snacking on Dutch goodies (that’s probably what he’s doing now!). Fred loved to make children laugh, and to sing and hum to them with his deepest voice.  He appreciated nature and beautiful flowers. He still has roses blooming in the yard.  He always had a dog as a pet.  He always had a hobby; photography, making custom aquariums, baking his bread, fishing, collecting things…I think his greatest passion (after his family) was his music.  Opa loved music!!  He was the best harmonica player we'll ever know!

Fred had the knack for telling stories (and jokes), amazing true stories that were lost to Alzheimer’s before we had a chance to write them all down.  Please feel free to share with us the stories you remember about Fred or stories that Fred told.

 

A celebration for Fred’s life is planned on his birthday, February 21. 2019, at Charles’ house.  Please contact one of his children to get more info.

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A Memorial Tree was planted for Fredericus
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Legacy Funeral & Cremation Care
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