105-Year-Old Veteran Fred Humphreys Jr. Leaves Lasting Legacy
Fred Humphreys Jr., a 105-year-old veteran and lifelong learner, passed away peacefully in Bloomington. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, great-grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews. Born at home in Minneapolis, Fred grew up in the city attending public schools and was one of four children. After studying at the University of Minnesota, he enlisted in the Army in 1942 and specialized in radar systems development in Georgia until his discharge in 1946.
Following his return to Minneapolis, Fred married his sweetheart Grace and built their home in Bloomington, where their daughter was born. He was active in their church, volunteering with youth and children's programs, and worked as a silversmith at Ostby & Anderson before joining Honeywell as a process engineer, retiring in 1981.
Throughout his life, Fred continued to learn, taking engineering courses at the University of Minnesota and computer classes at Honeywell. He was an avid reader and enjoyed exploring various subjects, including space exploration, music, history, and woodworking. His love for languages even led him to coin many of his own words.
As a devoted family man, Fred cherished time with loved ones and traveled extensively throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. He was known as 'Mr. Hospitality' for his warm welcoming nature, always ready to lend a helping hand or share stories with friends and newcomers alike. In his later years, he resided in an independent living cooperative near the home he built.
A memorial service will be held at Oxboro Evangelical Free Church in Bloomington on October 8th at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Donations can be made to the church's youth activities instead of flowers.