Obituary: Frederick Gustav Spiess
Frederick Gustav Spiess 1923 – 2016
This year marks the 75th anniversary of The United States’ entrance in to World War II. The six million Depression Era American men and women who fought in this war are dwindling fast. They are rightly called the “Greatest Generation”, and on May 20, 2016 we lost another one of the Greats: Frederick Gustav Spiess, age 93, resident of Manchester passed away at Henry Ford Allegiance Health.
He was born on January 18, 1923 in Dexter, MI the son of Herman and Amy (Keen) Spiess. He was raised on the family farm West of Ann Arbor on Spiess Road (named after Herman). Fred loved telling his children about growing up on the family farm with humorous stories about the necessity of “making do” during the Depression. Fred would reminisce that he never plowed with a tractor during those hard economic times, only with horses, and liked to show visitors the horse drawn plow he received on his 14th birthday and had kept throughout the years. He also enjoyed giving humorous and descriptive accounts of his neighbors and fellow students from the one-room schoolhouse he attended.
Fred was drafted into the Army in 1942, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and served in Europe. He was about 20 miles outside Berlin, Germany when the war in Europe ended. After the war, Fred returned to Ann Arbor and married Beverly Buckingham who preceded him in death in 2001 after 54 years of marriage.
Fred spent most of his working career at various factory jobs, including Ford Motor Company where he eventually retired from in 1985. He also spent many years working at Double A Products in Manchester.
Throughout his life Fred loved buying old cars, machinery and clocks that didn’t work, taking them apart and repairing them. He almost always found a way to give them new life. Fred enjoyed the history of his antiques as much as the actual tinkering, and was able to recite detailed facts about his toys. He also loved giving life to a good story and making people laugh. He would often say, with a twinkle in his eye and his classic silly grin, “Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.”
Fred’s great joy was providing for his family. We had horses to ride instead of work with, we went on cross country camping trips, and Mom sometimes drove convertibles. There were bicycles, motorcycles, go carts and boats to play with, hardly ever new, but more meaningful because they ran by the grace of mechanical ability and skilled hands.
Fred is survived by his sons: Roger, Mickey, Dan and Tim, their wives, Cathy, Joyce, Susie and Kathy; 5 grandchildren: Jeff, Donna, Ann, Katie and Tressy, 9 great grandchildren; and brother: Louis Spiess. Fred leaves a legacy of humor, kindness, cheerfulness and love. His memory will live on the hearts of his family. Fred will be remembered as a truly “Great Man.”
Fred’s family greeted friends on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Legacy Event Center, Manchester. Gathering continued on Friday at the funeral home beginning at 10 am until the time of service at 11 am with the Reverend David Bucholtz officiating. Interment Norvell Township Cemetery.
In Fred’s honor, memorial donation may be shared with the Cardiac Universal Bed Unit, c/o Henry Ford Allegiance Health Foundation, 205 N. East Avenue, Jackson, MI 49201. Please sign Fred’s guestbook at www.borekjennings.com or leave a message of comfort for the Spiess family by calling 877-231-7900.
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