C. Frederick Gressard

Charles Frederick Gressard Jr., fourth generation Kent family, distinguished Naval Captain during WWII, successful electrical engineer and inventor, rotary member, respected elder of United Church of Christ, and wonderful husband, grandparent, and great grandfather passed away August 20th at the age of 91 in Seattle. He will be interned at Standing Rock Cemetery alongside his parents Charles Frederick Gressard and Margret Merrill Gressard.

Fred was born 27th of June, 1920 at 709 West Main Street at a time when street cars ran all the way from Kent to Akron. At the age of five the family moved to the new residential development at Twin Lakes. His family home was one of the first two built by the Twin Lakes Company on land purchased from Fred's Grandmother Ida Merrill. Shortly later the True Loeblein family moved into the house across Overlook Road and Fred was introduced to Elisabeth Loeblien at the age of nine. He and Betty formed a partnership of love that lasted 69 years!

After attending Kent State University High School, Fred received an appointment to the US Naval Academy and graduated December 1941, the first class after Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to the newly commissioned USS Fletcher DD445, the 'name' ship of a new destroyer class. Fred and Betty married nine days after assignment. It was on the Fletcher that Fred met his lifelong friend Walter-Sully' Sullivan and together began a 60 year service and dedication to the Naval Reserve and Fletcher Ship reunions. His stories of Guadalcanal are legendary and following the battle received a citation for meritorious and distinguished service from Admiral Halsey.

Shortly afterward Fred applied for Flight Training fulfilling an early childhood dream of becoming a Naval Aviator and following in the footsteps of Charles Lindbergh. The 'success' of Fred's training is well documented and in August 1944 was assigned to the Naval Air Station Pensacola and received his wings March 27th, 1945. His appreciation for the F4 Corsair continued through his life and we cannot remember a time when there wasn't a picture or a model of the plane sitting on his desk or hanging on the wall.

After the war, Fred returned to his beloved Kent to raise the family. He worked with John Morse and Morse Controls for 16 years. During the time with Morse, Fred invented the Morse Guide Line Projector used by nearly every tire company in the world. He later took the projector under his own 'wing' and formed Fairway International. No one really knows when Fred retired, as he says in his autobiography "with Fairway I was able to work at home be with my family and it all made for a nice relaxed operation that I enjoyed the whole time. At least, I was able to play golf whenever I wanted!"

More than anything, what defined Fred was his historical appreciation of the Kent Community and his devotion to family, friends, and church. He loved singing in Church, participating in Rotary meetings, and attending Kent State football and basketball games…….. along with the Tavern on Twin Lakes.

Fred is survived by his wife Betty, children Elisabeth Sandler and Rick Gressard, 11 extended grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He leaves us with wonderful memories of diving competitions in the family pool, Christmas trips to Kent, roller coaster rides at Cedar Point, Sea World, trips in the Cutlass, donut runs to Streetsboro, golf at Twin Lakes, and bluegill dinners at the Tavern.

Following private interment, a memorial service to celebrate Fred's life and spirit is planned for Saturday, September 10th at 11:00 at the United Church of Christ in Kent. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in Fred's remembrance to the United Church of Christ, Kent Ohio.