Frederick Carl Matthaei

OAKHAM/DETROIT, MI - Frederick Carl Matthaei, Jr. passed peacefully on June 2nd, 2016, surrounded by his family, overlooking beautiful Brooks Pond. He was 90 years old. He is survived by his brother Konrad Matthaei; his sister-in-law Joan Anneberg; his four daughters, Julie Matthaei, Maru Matthaei, Amy Matthaei, and Morgan Crowther; his son-in-laws William Witter, William Crowther, and Germazion Medhanie; his nieces Marcella Matthaei, and Lisa and Karen Anneberg, and nephew Konrad Matthaei; his four grandchildren, Kaitlin, James, and Leland Crowther, and Ella Wechsler-Matthaei; and his grandnieces Evelyn AschenBrenner and Sophie Matthaei, and grandnephews Ken Erwood, and Konrad and Spencer Matthaei.   A resident of Michigan, Fred was born in Detroit on October 20, 1925. He grew up in Detroit and Ann Arbor, and then lived in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, MI.  For the past twenty years, he enjoyed spending time at the family home on Brooks Pond in Oakham, MA.  Fred was a successful entrepreneur.  He was known for his unique ability to connect with all kinds of people and to bring them together to communicate, often to form a team with the goal of improving the community and world.  He was courageous in many respects.  He travelled all over the far reaches of the world, often with his children and grandchildren.  He was a lifelong supporter of the city of Detroit and of the University of Michigan, his alma mater, as well as of countless organizations and every community he has lived in.  Fred was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  In the robotics world, “Grampa Fred” is a legend, as an avid supporter of his grandsons’ team which won 5 World Championship titles.   Fred was known for driving his car decorated with flames.  He held onto his love for life and his adventuresome spirit up to the day he passed. Fred said many times that he had lived a wonderful life, had done everything he wanted to do, was grateful, and felt lucky.  Fred was looking forward to joining his loving wife of over fifty years, Malora, and his son Carl in heaven.  Fred was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and a teacher, inspiration, and adventurer, right to his very last breath.  He will be sorely missed by his family, as well as by his community of friends and neighbors in and around Oakham, in Michigan, and around the world. A small family service was held at his daughters’ home. A memorial celebration will be held in Michigan July 31, 2016. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Brooks Pond Conservation Association (BPCA) to help preserve the beautiful place that he loved, c/o Johanna Higham, P.C., 18 Lyman Street, Suite 265, Westborough, MA 01581.Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.