Frederick Henry Wagner

Frederick Henry Wagner IV, 72, born on October 13, 1942 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away April 2, 2015. He resided in Cypress, California, at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.

Fred attended St. Stephen's Grammar School in Michigan; St. Brendan Catholic School and Loyola High School in California. During his formative years of learning, he pursued chess, fencing, sailing, swimming, and ham radio operations as well as playing the flute, clarinet and saxophone. These activities would prove to be constants in his long and blessed life.
Following high school graduation, Fred was selected for entrance into the 4 year United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Upon graduation in 1964 as a 2nd Lieutenant USAF, he reported to Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma for Pilot's training. Selected for bombers, he flew the B-52D, performing over 200 conventional bombing missions in the Vietnam War and nuclear deterrence missions in the Cold War. He wed Airman Michelle Bayh on May 3, 1980 at Edwards AFB, CA. During the rest of his 20 year military career, Fred's jobs included Titan Silo Missile Commander in Arizona and Computer Systems Engineer at Strategic Air Command Omaha, Nebraska. Fred continued his education during his service with a Master's of Science in Business Administration degree to complement his Bachelors of Science with the USAFA.
After retirement from the United States Air Force, he entered the civilian work force at Overland Computer Services in Omaha, Nebraska. Moving to California, he worked at California Pacific, Los Angeles law firm Richards, Watson, and Gershon, and the City of Long Beach, which he retired from in 2012. During his retirement, he continued playing music in addition to being an active ham radio operator, chess player and volunteer docent at Santa Monica Airport Museum of Flying. Fred greatly enjoyed music, and played the flute, Bari sax, and the clarinet in various bands over the years. As an active Ham Radio for over 60 years, he loved communicating with people all over the world. Fred was an avid reader, he could always be found with a book in his hand while relaxing. Also, during his retirement, Fred became increasingly involved with ESGR, presenting military awards, and Fred also played music for the Church Ministry to the assisted living homes.
Fred was an avid swimmer, bike rider, and sailor in his spare time. Fred would attend the Renaissance Faire and Harry Potter weekends, often in costume. He even tried Irish Dancing and played the penny whistle and often helped behind the scenes for Irish feis with his wife Michelle. He passed on his love of chess to his second son Nathan and grandson Alex. In spirit, Fred will attend Robert's college graduation by having a seat with his photo in it.
Fred is survived by wife Michelle, children, Wendy, Sharon, Karen (mom Judy), Robert & Nathan, grandchildren Alex, Andy, & Hannah, mother Maria, siblings Caroline (Jim), Jeanne, Peter (Jerri), Larry, 10 nieces and nephews, extended family & friends & 2 dogs.