Frederick Breidenbach

Obituary of Frederick John Breidenbach

Fred was a 45-year resident of Olympia. He was born August 6, 1936 in Tacoma, Washington to Nell Marie (Nero) and Frederick Anthony Breidenbach. He died at home after a 3 year illness on April 15, 2005. He married Susan “Sue” Wray Austin in Wallace, Idaho June 27, 1964. Fred grew up in Tacoma and attended Washington Grade School, Mason Junior High and graduated from Stadium High School in 1954. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1958 with a Bachelors of Fines Arts degree and earned an education degree in 1959. He completed 7 years of College with doing graduate work at Eastern Washington University and the University of Puget Sound. He began his teaching career at Old Washington Junior High in Olympia. In 1966 he moved to Olympia High School and then to Capital High School when it opened in 1975. He taught ceramics, drawing and painting, coached track for 30 years, cross country, and girls and boys basketball. Fred loved teaching, every student was very important to him and he saw the potential in each one as an individual. Fred enjoyed attending all the high school sports events. He retired in 1989, explored several other careers but found teaching was his love and returned to Capital High School for another 4 years, retiring in 2000. He was a very devoted husband and father. He enjoyed all family gatherings. He had a love for travel and made several wonderful trips to Europe, Canada and within the United States. He shared Sue’s interest in genealogy and made connections with relatives throughout their travels. Visiting state capitols became a focus for traveling. Fred had a special place in his heart for his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Sue; daughter Carrie and son-in-law John Trapp, grandchildren Sarah and Kyle of Poulsbo, WA; son Bob and daughter-in-law Tracy Breidenbach and grandchildren Emma and Cody of Palm Desert, CA; and sister Marilyn Duvall of Lakewood, WA. He was a long time member of The United Churches of Olympia and served on the Church Council. Fred was also a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. A celebration of Fred’s life will be Saturday, April 23, 2005 at 2:00 pm at The United Churches, 110 11th Ave. SE, Olympia, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Capital High School Foundation Scholarship in the name of Fred Breidenbach, 2707 Conger Ave. Olympia, WA 98502 or Vanderbilt Shy-Drager Research Fund, Vanderbilt University, 1121 21st Ave South, MCN Room AA3228, Nashville, TN 37232-2195.
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