Peter Wahl Fredrickson
Peter was the son of the late Evald T. (Gil) Fredrickson and the late Isabel Mentzer Mead. He was also the stepson of the late John L. (Jack) Schulz. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sydne Irons Fredrickson of Denver and a daughter, Karin Rutt-Houser (Brian) of Duncannon.
Peter grew up in Pottstown. He graduated from Pottsgrove High School in 1964. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Gettysburg College and his Master’s in Secondary Counseling from West Chester University. At Gettysburg, he was ROTC and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army and served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Peter’s career was spent helping young people. He was a high school counselor at Conestoga High School in the Tredyffrin Easttown School district in Berwyn. He always put his students first. He was also a high school basketball coach and led the Conestoga Pioneers to the District 1 championship in 1991.
Peter had a life-long love affair with the game of golf. He started playing when he was 10 years old, and although he never got to shoot his age, at one time he was a 2 handicap. He loved taking trips with his golf buddies and playing courses all over the country. He was also a big sports fan, especially the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. In addition to going to football games at Notre Dame and Alabama, he attended to 1976 Montreal and the 1984 Olympics. If it was a sport, Peter loved it!
Peter was a very social person. He had a knack for putting people at ease and was always the perfect host for guests who came to his home. It could be said that he never met a stranger, because he was always at ease in social situations and so were those around him. As a friend, he was generous, loyal, and dependable. At times, he could also be very funny, as those who knew him can attest.
In addition to his wife and daughter, Peter is survived by his sister: Donna Rittersbacher (John) of West Deptford, N.J.; his stepmother: Evelyn Brinser Schulz of Florida and brothers-in-law: Jim Irons (Susan) of Yorba Linda, Calif. and Rick Irons (Lisa) of Palmyra. Also surviving are nephews: Tyler, Todd and Nathan; nieces: Julie and Kelsie, and Karin and Brian’s children: Chelsie and William. Two great nephews also survive. He was predeceased by a nephew, Zachary.
Friends will be received Jan. 11, 2014 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, with the memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. Private burial will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Pottstown at the convenience of the family.
Please consider making a donation in Peter’s memory to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 or to the Jimmy Valvano Foundation (jimmyv.org) where all funds go toward cancer research.
To send an online condolence please visit snyderfuneralhome.com.