Frederick Phillip Droesch's Obituary
Frederick Phillip Droesch-Educator-Athlete-Businessman died Jan. 18,2005 in St. Clair, Michigan.
He was born June 8, 1912 in Lima , Ohio to the late Phillip and Gertrude (Leffel) Droesch.
He graduated from Central High School, Lima, Lettering in Basketball, Track, Football and Baseball.
And attended Bluffton College (Ohio) on an Athletic Scholarship but was forced to leave after a year for economic reasons. He moved to Lansing, MI. and later Detroit, holding jobs in the Insurance Business, eventually owning his own General Agency. He served in the Navy during WWII on a destroyer that saw dangerous combat on the Pacific Island invasions. He loved contacts and reunions with his shipmates. In his fifties he decided to return to school and fulfill his dream to be a teacher. He received
Bachelors, Masters and Education specialist degrees from Wayne State University and began teaching at Lakeview high School, St. Clair Shores, MI. When he retired at 65 he was Assistant Principle.
He moved to St. Clair, Michigan where he stayed very busy as a substitute teacher, golfer, golf teacher and as a Baritone with Port Huron Schubert Chorus. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, but the passion of his life was golf. He played on many famous courses, including Scotland and the Masters Course in Augusta, GA. He was past president and club golf champion at the St. Clair River Country Club. He was a well known basketball official and was inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame in 1978. He was a Mason (Corinthian Lodge), an Elk, life member of Post 6784 of the VFW, member of the Michigan Education Association, and the Detroit Board of Commerce and Blue Goose Intentional in his business years. Mr. Droesch is survived by his wife of 56 years Lois Ann (nee Swhier), son Fred Droesch Jr of Beverly Hills, CA and his daughter Christina Marie (Phil) Haeck of Marysville, MI., beloved grandsons Adam and Jared, nephew Phil, Niece Judy and special niece Carol Ann. Besides his parents he was also preceded in death by brothers James and Richard and sister Opal Taylor.
Mr. Droesch was a man of immense vitality, strong, active life-loving. A stroke during surgery 11 years ago caused damage that made life difficult, but he fought to live as fully as possible, until time and other illnesses caused his weary heart to rest. St. John’s Hospice watched over him with great kindness.
Cremation has taken place with no visitation scheduled. Condolences can be sent C/O L.C. Friederichs & Funeral Home, 214 Trumbull, St. Clair 48079 or on line at www.lcfandson.com .
A family memorial service is planned for his birthday. His ashes will be placed, with military honors, in the columbarium at Riverlawn Cemetery, in Marysville, MI., where he will overlook the St. Clair River and a golf course. Memorials may be made to the Marysville High School Marching Band, “The Viking Regiment” c/o Dennis Duso-Director, Maryville High School, 1325 Michigan Ave, Marysville, Mi 48040.
Mr. Droesch was loved and will be missed by many. His family is very proud of him, and he has earned his rest and peace.
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