LIMPERT, Fred (Fritz)

Fred "Fritz" A. Limpert is survived by his wife, Marti, Sister Bette Mayhew, Nieces Beth Mayhew and Stella Ardire, Nephews Jim Mayhew and Karl Mayhew, Grand-Nieces Meredith Poggi-Jenkins, Amanda Mayhew and Grace Mayhew. Fred Arthur Limpert was born on Feb. 4th, 1921 in Frankfort, NY. He lived in Ilion NY in the family home with his sister Bette Limpert Mayhew until he graduated from Ilion High School in 1939. In his school years, Fritz enjoyed being a Caddy at the local golf course. He moved to Washington State and attended Washington State University graduating in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Having taken four years of ROTC and joining the Enlisted Reserve, he never had a draft status. He went from College to Engineer OCS (Officers Candidate School) at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and became a second Lieutenant. Thanks to his rifle club activities at high school, he had one of the highest scores on the rifle range up to that time. He was assigned to Weapons and Tactics. After going home for a short leave, when he got back to Belvoir, he was asked to join the staff of research and training publications. He agreed and ended writing technical manuals, most on bridging, both fixed and floating. If you were good at your job you were locked in a position after one year. At this point he married the former Pat Cheney of western Washington State. They celebrated 55 years together. She preceded him in death. Fritz as he was known most of his life ended his career with five years active duty and 18 years Reserve retiring as a Major. From the Military he went to work on the Columbia Basin and Grand Coulee Dam. After 18 years he moved to the Bonneville Power Administration as Chief Hydrologist. He worked with the Corps of Engineers and BC Hydro People, laying out the Hydromet Network of the river gauges, rain gauges, and snow courses for the Columbia River Treaty. He mischievously used to say he was a "water boy" when asked what he did before he retired. He retired in 1977, with 23 years military and 35 years of Civil Service in Sun City, AZ after going to AZ in the winters for several years. Pat passed away here in Sun City Sept. 25, 1999 and Fritz married Marti on March 23, 2002. He continued to correspond with some of his classmates of Ilion High School, such as Thomas Lester and Leonard Hagen. In October, 2002 Fritz and Marti attended the High School's 250 year "Mega Reunion" and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He had great fun in seeing his childhood friends and especially driving "up the hill" to see where he spent his childhood years. He enjoyed telling people about the times when you had to drive the model "T" backwards to get up the hill where they lived with their childhood days of sledding down the hill. Fritz was loved by all and had many, many friends over the years. He was a lifetime member of the BPOE Sun City Lodge 2559 as well as several other memberships in other organizations. He had a quick joke and smile for all. He will be greatly missed by everyone. Published in the Arizona Republic on 4/11/2004.