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
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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