My Father

  My brother and sister and I, bid a sad last goodbye to our father.

Fred Len Deckmann

March 21, 1937 to September 13, 2025

At age 88, he was the last living family member of that generation including all the aunts and uncles on both sides of our family.

He put forth his best effort in everything he did. He was a good provider and a good family man. He was always ready to help with a problem.

We learned a lot of basic and valuable life lessons from my Dad...

Be responsible and reliable, treat people fairly.

Be a dependable worker and earn money when you can.

Don't waste things, not money, not food, not items that could be useful.

Don't mope around feeling sorry for yourself.

Do your best.

He didn't necessarily say these things in words, but more by example.

My Dad had an ability to fix and repair things...especially cars. He had a real interest in cars...not sports cars or race cars...more like an in interest motors and how cars work.

Family vacations would generally include a visit to a car museum.

My Dad was a good family man...making sure we had everything we needed...a nice home, food, clothes, toys, plus a yearly summer beach vacation in Florida.

Besides helping with the later life needs of grandparents on both sides of the family, my Dad took on the role of care giver for my Mother after her stroke.

During those years, he also provided care for his brother after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness.  

Later, even after my Dad was dealing with his own health problems, he checked on my brother in the nursing home and took care of his house and dogs.

My Dad had such drive and self discipline...it was hard to imagine that he wouldn't be able to just keep going.

There is so much more that I could share but I'll sum it up by saying...the world has lost one of the truly good men.

You will always be remembered.