March 2015 Fred wrote:

I am now retired and live on the family farm of which I inherited half and bought half from my brother. I still like to play with old cars. My stepson, Kevin and I restored a 1975 Peterbilt 352 cab over. It has been on the Peterbilt Calendar, several antique shows and is now on Super Trucks cards at truck stop scales.

I am divorced and my oldest daughter is disowned due to embezzlement. My son passed away in 2013. My youngest daughter is a Registered Nurse in Overland park Kansas. She has two adopted Russian children. My other grandchildren don't have time for Grandpa unless they need money. I have three children, four step kids, nine grand kids and five great grandchildren.

I worked two short-time auto jobs, then at Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel for five years. I bought my first truck in 1962 and spent fifty years on the road. I saw 49 States, Canada and Mexico, roughly 6,000,000 miles, and many sights, Niagara Falls, Golden Gate, Mt. Hood, Yosemite Park, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan.

I remember the girls' basketball tournament , 5 seconds to the buzzer, a shot from half court and a win. I am proud to be associated with a great class.
 

May 8, 2016

Classmates,       
Freddie died in is sleep, apparently last night; his body and was discovered this morning.  I have details only that his family will be gathered by tomorrow and from that there will surely  be more information about plans for his memorial. 
   Freddie and I continued to visit back and forth over the years and so far as I know even in recent weeks he was not suffering from more than the inescapable aches and pains of aging.  Never once did I hear him express any regrets about life or aging either one.  Our last exchange had to do with a Model T auction and a  search for a brake drum for and International tractor, which is to say that all was just about as usual, mostly.
     Be well,
Carl

 

OBITUARY

Fredric R. Messamer, 78, passed away May 8, 2016 at his home. Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 12 at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren in rural Adel, with interment following in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 at Iles Brandt Chapel in Dallas Center. Fred was born on August 12, 1937 to parents Burton and Ethel (Swartz) Messamer. He worked for many years as an over the road trucker. He was well respected in the trucking community, and leaves a legacy of having trained many new drivers through the years. His CB handle 'Paperboy' was well known to many. He also enjoyed old cars (especially Cadillacs), racing, and going to auctions and garage sales. Fred is survived by his brother Lester; his children, Marlys, Michelle, Deanna, Cindy, Kevin, and Brian; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Vera Irene; and his son, David. Memorial contributions may be directed to Panther Creek Church of the Brethren in Fred's name. ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES ~ BRANDT DALLAS CENTER CHAPEL -