In Memory

Fred Stanton Fiedler
March 12, 1922 to Feb. 25, 2008

Fred Stanton Fiedler, a World War II veteran, lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, successful businessman and devoted husband and father died Feb. 25, 2008, after a six-month illness. He was 85.

His funeral is at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2008, in Risen Christ Chapel at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City, where he will be interred. A vigil is at 3.30 p.m. Sunday, March 2 at the Church of the Incarnation, 1001 N. Brand Blvd., in Glendale.

Mr. Fiedler was born on March 12, 1922, to parents Frederick and Beatrice (Stanton) Fiedler in Peoria, Ariz. He joined the Boy Scouts of America in 1935 and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, which began his long association with the organization. After graduating from Superior (Ariz.) High School in 1939, he attended the University of Arizona in Tucson on a scholarship provided by the Magma Copper mining company for whom he once worked. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society, while earning a degree in mechanical engineering in 1943.

During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps after completing officer’s training school at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. He was stationed in Boca Raton, Fla., and Lake Charles, La., with the 3rd Echelon Maintenance Depot, achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was an aircraft maintenance officer and a B-29 flight engineer. He was a reserve officer until 1953. He was activated, but never served in the Korean conflict.

After WW II, Mr. Fiedler moved to Los Angeles where he managed the construction and engineering department for the Union Oil Company of California as it rapidly expanded throughout the western states. While at Union Oil he met Patricia Irene O’Neill, whom he wed after a six-month courtship on Sept. 20, 1947. They were married for 60 years.

They bought their first home in Burbank before moving to Glendale in 1956. They raised 12 children (eight boys and four girls) who were born between 1948 and 1966.

In 1957, Mr. Fiedler started his own engineering company: Fred Fiedler and Assoc., which still produces work for most of the major oil companies now known as The Fiedler Group. In the early 1960s, he formed Stanton Construction, which built service stations throughout Southern California. In the late ‘60s, he began Tiki Construction, which built service stations in the Hawaiian islands from its headquarters in Hilo.

He led his sons into scouting and five sons and two grandsons also reached the rank of Eagle Scout. Through his involvement with the Verdugo Hills Council, Mr. Fiedler was honored with the Silver Beaver award. He was also a member of their Hall of Fame for his service as a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and council vice president.

He also enjoyed overseeing his sons’ interest in ice hockey by serving as director of youth ice hockey programs at the Pickwick Ice Rink in Burbank.

After semi-retiring from his company, Mr. Fiedler toured the world with his wife as they were inseparable. They organized a family reunion at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., in 2000. He was also particularly fond of a trip to Africa, which had fascinated him as a youth while growing up in the deserts of Arizona.

Mr. Fiedler was an honorable, principled man who lived every day by the Scout law. He was loved and respected by his family, friends and acquaintances. He loved his country and was a proud American.

Survivors include his wife and 12 children: Katherine of New York; Fredric Stanton (Linda) of Glendale; Patricia (Michael Horan) of Marina Del Rey; Maureen (Patrick Roherty) of Lahaina, Maui; John (Tina) of Ijamsville, Md.; Frank (Tina) of Bend, Ore.; Jim (Roanne) of Danville, Calif.; Bill (Colleen) of Sugar Land, Texas; Patrick (Karen) of La Canada; Mary (Ed Althof) of Mission Viejo; Michael (Margot) of Aliso Viejo; and Thomas of Stillwater, Okla.

He is also survived by 22 grandchildren: Richard, Michael, Peter, Eric, Kirsten, Thomas, Vanessa, Vincent, Julia, Monica, Morgan, Lauren, Lindsey, Callie, Emily, Abigail, Patrick, Scott, Brandan, Alison, Stephanie and Danica.

Three nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Evelyn.

Pierce Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Boy Scouts of America and sent to the Verdugo Hills Council, 1325 Grandview Ave., Glendale, Calif., 91201 with a note that it is in memory of Fred S. Fiedler.

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