Frederick De Young

Frederick W. De Young had overcome a difficult childhood to become a hardworking man with a strong sense of family. He was a gifted and talented businessman who used his abilities to make a wonderful life for his family. Fred always held himself up to a high standard, and because of his zestful pursuance of life, he reaped the rewards of a loving family and great friends.

The year was 1911, Howard Taft was president and the United States was rapidly moving from a rural environment to an industrial powerhouse. However, for Rienier and Phyllis (Pett) De Young, life was somewhat simpler. Already the proud parents of a daughter, Ruth, on April 11, 1911, they welcomed the birth of their first son, Frederick. Ruth and Fred were later joined by little sister, Elma. Rienier and Phyllis were immigrants who came to America seeking a better life. One of the greatest challenges to Fred and his family was the death of their mother. Despite the tragedy, however, Fred had a rough but typical childhood. At ten he delivered groceries to earn money and later got a job working in the muck farms in Lowell to help support his family. Fred knew the value of hard work and was not afraid to do any job offered to him. As a typical boy, Fred also found time to get into his fair share of boyhood mischief. After his mother died, some of his aunts came to help care for the children and eventually one of them, Edith, became his stepmother. The family home on Fuller Street was built by his father with a little help from Fred. While the house was being built, Fred and his siblings purportedly lived in a tent through the summer.

Fred attended Ottawa Hills High School where he was a part of the debate team and his natural athletic ability made him a enthusiastic runner, not only for his school but also for the Davis Tech track team. After graduating in one of the first graduating classes at Ottawa Hills, Fred entered the University of Michigan and received an engineering degree. Upon returning to Grand Rapids, Fred was reacquainted with his high school sweetheart, Maxine. Their deep love for each other was apparent to everyone around them and they were happily married. Throughout their marriage, their affections for each other never wavered and holding hands while watching television was a common sight.

The young couple eventually established their home on Knapp Street where Fred would continue to live for the next 60 years. Fred was employed at Kroblen GMC in Grand Rapids as a foreman on truck repairs. It was here that he became acquainted with Norm Utting who would later be his business partner. Over the next seven years, Fred and Maxine joyfully watched their family grow with the births of three wonderful children: Judy, John and Carol.

Despite having a steady job and being happily married, Fred’s aspiration was to own his own business. He fulfilled this goal along with his friend Norm, as they started the General Truck Service on Chicago Drive. Seeing that they were both mechanics, much of the company’s work was truck repair, done either in the garage or on site. Eventually business was good and they came to own some of their own trucks that was used to haul metal. Fred loved his work and was proud of his business. A hard worker, Fred worked long arduous hours often six or seven days a week. When a service call came in, he was off no matter what time of day or night. Often times on the weekend, Fred would be accompanied on service calls by some of his kids or at times his whole family. Like so many small businesses, Fred involved his family in many aspects of the business. Often times he brought paperwork home and sat at the big desk in the living room putting them in order. As his children got older, they began helping to keep the books and paperwork up to date. The General Truck Service became highly regarded in town. This was due largely to the fact that Fred and Norm took great pride in their work and managed their business with honesty and integrity.

Having a strong family was always important to Fred. Even when he was very busy with work, Fred made sure that after a long day he made time to help his children with their algebra or geometry homework, even though his school days were long past. No matter what they did, Fred was always supportive of his kids. He demanded that they give their personal best in everything they did and was quick to admonish them if their success went to their head. He taught them that every situation could be bettered and his bar on what he expected was always higher than the normal. Memorable family vacations were spent every year at a cottage owned by his cousin on Horseshoe Lake near Greenville. And every year just as they were approaching Cedar Springs on their way to the Lake, Fred would have to stop the car and change the spark plugs before they could continue. When the children were younger, family time was also spent canning fruits, vegetables and meats. They never viewed this as a chore; it was simply what you did as part of the family.

Fred had strong values and he was not one to sway with the times. Those in his family knew that he was true to his character, and he firmly implemented his beliefs unto his children. Because of Fred’s strong moral character, he was not afraid to speak his mind and was always willing to voice what others were thinking. Fred spoke with a pleasant tone often adding humor to ease tensions, but he always spoke so that he was clearly understood. He was also a meticulous perfectionist with a strong devotion to the principles of both hard work and a devoted family.

Not only was Fred a dedicated father, he was a loving and committed husband as well. Fred loved Maxine and everyone knew it. He was not one to hide his affections, always holding hands even if they were simply watching television. Although Maxine suffered from MS and was confined to a wheelchair for many years, Fred simply enjoyed spending time with her. Fred happily balanced his career, his family and his wife's needs, insisting on being her primary caregiver for many years. On many occasions, her family would pack a picnic lunch and head to Townsend Park where they would eat together in the car and afterwards the children would play close by so that their mother could enjoy their happy smiles and laughter. In 1968, Maxine succumbed to her illness and passed away. That same year their youngest daughter was married and moved from home. Her death took an enormous toll on Fred and his outlook on life became very pessimistic.

A few years after Maxine’s passing, the sun shone again on Fred when he met Gertrude and they were married. Together they were able to enjoy traveling, especially to Hawaii, Florida and California. Golfing and bowling were another one of Fred and Gertrude’s favorite pastimes. In 1981, Fred and Norm sold their business and took up retirement life. With more free time on his hands, Fred became fully engrossed with golfing and was a part of the Great Lakes Seniors’ League. His love for golf continued well up to the ripe age of 90. He and Gertrude spent their fair share of time eating out, particularly at Russ’ and Bill Knapp’s. Because he loved working with his hands, he was a master at tinkering and could fix just about anything around the house. Fred was also a longtime member of St. James Lutheran Church.

As Fred’s children grew up and started their own lives, they blessed him with many grandchildren and eventually great grandchildren. Because Gertrude loved small children, he found himself more involved with the great grandchildren, though he loved and cherished every one of them. Fred was delighted when he could pass on some of his vast mechanical knowledge to the grandsons.

While not one to go out of his way to do so, Fred enjoyed spending time with his loved ones. He never missed a chance to joke around and sometimes it was difficult to know whether it was his great sense of humor or a true story. For example, did his parents really throw him out of the boat to teach him to swim? Fred lent his wonderful sense of humor to everyone around him and in doing so, brightened many lives.

Frederick W. De Young, age 92 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, March 8, 2004. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maxine De Young. Fred is survived by his wife, Gertrude De Young; his children: Judy (Jack) Kippen, John (Joyce) De Young, Carol (Samuel) De Man; step children Norman (Ulla) De Ruiter, Philip De Ruiter, Bob De Ruiter, Jack (Marilyn) De Ruiter; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Elma Englesman; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 12, at 11:30 AM at Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with his family at the funeral chapel on Wednesday, March 10, from 7-9 p.m. and on Thursday, March 11, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. For those who wish, memorial contributions to either St. James Lutheran Church or Trinity Baptist Church are appreciated. To read Fred’s life story, share a favorite memory, send flowers or make a memorial contribution in his memory, please visit www.lifestorynet.com. Arrangements handled by HERITAGE LIFE STORY FUNERAL HOMES

Fred was a man dedicated to his family. He spent his live balancing hard work with being a loving father and husband, succeeding in providing the best for his family.