Frederick Ward

Frederick J. “Fred” Ward, 78, of Topeka, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at Aldersgate Village.

He was born January 6, 1931 to Sgt. Isaac Gilbert Ward and Mary Alice (White) Ward at Fort Leavenworth.  He came into the world a little guy – 2.5 lbs.  But he succeeded well.  The family lived in Leavenworth and Fred attended school at Cathedral Catholic School and Leavenworth High School.  Fred’s mother had died when he was seven years old and his dad died when he was fourteen years old, so he joined the US Army Air Corps at age sixteen.  He had many experiences, saw many places.  He spent several years in Wiesbaden, Germany and would tell many stories about his time there.  Fred was in the United States Air Force Reserves nine years, from July 1947 to July 1956.  He was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Back to civilian life he enrolled at Missouri School of Mines at Rolla, now University of Missouri for one year.  Fred began (what was to be his career) working with Kansas Power and Light Co. (now Westar Energy) in February of 1955 in Leavenworth as a meter reader.  He joined the engineering department before transferring to Hiawatha as an estimator.  In 1960 he moved to Atchison to enroll at St. Benedict’s College and worked part time at Hiawatha.  In 1964 he was transferred to Salina as an Engineering Field Man.  In 1967 he was promoted to Division Superintendent at Hiawatha until 1974 when he was promoted to Salina Division Superintendent.  Then in 1977 Fred was named supervisor for Transportation Equipment at Westar.  In 1992 Fred retired after 37 years of service to Westar and its predecessors.  Retirement gave him time to volunteer for Meals on Wheels, a service he really enjoyed.  He delivered the meals four days a week for most of the eleven years of service. 

Fred has been married fifty-two years to Louise and has one son James P. (Coyote) and his wife Cathy of Topeka.  Fred was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church since 1977 and Knights of Columbus Council #4254.

Fred will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  A Knights of Columbus rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. followed by a parish rosary at 6:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  Military honors will be provided by Philip Billard Post #1650 of the VFW at the church.  Private burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church or Catholic Community Hospice and sent in care of the funeral home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka 66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.