More detail on this person: Fred's childhood was spent in southwest Arizona, in and around
Bisbee, Ariz. He grew up on a ranch, where his dad was the foreman. He had the freedom of growing up
in the wide open spaces, and the responsibilities of a ranch hand and cowboy in his early years.
Those formative years made him the man he was _ decent, caring, loving, stubborn and inquisitive. At
17 years old, he joined the Air Force and was ready to fight for our country.
Honor, Courage and Commitment; these three words were engrained into Fred's DNA. He served our
country in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and to this day these three words exemplify who he was. He had
a significant military career in the Army, as a Mandarin Chinese linguist, a pilot who flew
airplanes and helicopters, and instructed, in both types of aircraft for many years. Joe Galloway
said at one of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association Washington Reunions: "You helicopter guys
are a Special Breed Of Madmen, One of God's Lunatics."
The Helicopter Square Dance Team was one of the highlights of his military career. He was the team
captain in the mid '50s, and the team performed in air shows along the East Coast, demonstrating the
amazing capabilities of this unique flying machine. Recently, a documentary film has been made of
the team's adventures, with Fred as one of the few spokespersons here. This documentary has won
first prize in two film festivals in 2013, and is entered in several more this year. If accepted it
will be in the Seattle film festival in the spring. (See the Oct. 19, 2013 My Edmonds News story
here.)
Fred's military career took him all over the world, and his post-military career took him to
Katmandu, Nepal, 1966-67 and Vientiane, Laos, 1967-1972. He flew in both countries, and became the
Director of Flight Operations for Continental Air Services in Laos. His flying career came to an end
after he lost his hearing in one ear.
In 1972, Fred and Bette returned to the States and moved to Montana. Fred intended to retire, but
found that retirement didn't suit him, so Fred and Bette went into real estate, and Fred became a
broker. He was the President of the Montana Association of Realtors. After 11 years, the cold, snowy
winters became more challenging, and Fred and Bette decided it was time for a change.
Fred and Bette had seen so much of the world, but really didn't know the USA as well as they would
have liked to. This prompted them to pack up the contents of Bette's antique shop and hit the road.
They traveled for 3½ years, buying and selling antiques from Bar Harbor, Maine to Key West, and from
New York to California, with intermittent stops to further their knowledge in the fields of their
interest. Fred spent several months at the Gemological Institute of America and became a graduate
gemologist and Bette took several classes in appraising through the International Society of
Appraisers and Indiana University, and became a certified appraiser of personal property. With the
completion of these objectives, they headed for Seattle, finally settling in Edmonds in 1986. They
opened Guildmark Appraisal & Estate Sale Services, LLC, and have had an active appraisal business
since then.
Fred always was a man who got involved, and moving to Edmonds did not stop that sense of
community. Fred was a member of the Chamber for many years, and ran the 4th of July parade for the
Edmonds Chamber for 10 years. He was president of the Edmonds Museum for five years, and it was
under his watch that the Edmonds Museum's Farmers Market started. He remained active in the
community until his health issues made it impossible. He was a member of the American Legion China
Post 1, the USO, the Military Officers Association of America, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots
Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the NRA.
As the years passed, and health issues began to become apparent, Fred and his family knew that every
day was a gift, cherished it, and fought for the next day to dawn. On Dec. 28, 2013, Fred lost that
battle, but we know in the end that he won, as he was at home, with the love of his life, and
quietly passed on to a new adventure.
Fred is survived by his wife, Bette, his granddaughters Tara Turner Stoltzmann (Francisco) and
Jennifer Wilson (Bruce). He has five grandchildren _ William Dolan, Abigail Dolan, Chris Stoltzmann,
Annilee Stoltzmann and Mary Kate Stoltzmann _ as well as his sister and brother-in-law Kathe and
Jack Hall . His mother, Ethel Swanner and his son, David, preceded him in death.
The funeral service is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 24 at 9:30 a.m. at the Unity Church, 16727
Alderwood Mall Pkwy., Lynnwood, followed by internment at the Mount Tahoma National Cemetery in
Kent, with full military honors, at 1:15 p.m. Flowers can be sent to the church the day before, in
Fred's name, or you can make a donation to Wounded Warriors or the USO.
A memorial service for Fred in planned in Edmonds later, with date and time to be determined.
From: Bette Bell
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association