Robert W. Frederick

Robert Waite Frederick, “Pop-Pop”, passed away Monday July 26, 2021 at the age of 96.

Robert was born July 5, 1925 in Gloversville, NY to parents William and Edna Frederick. He enlisted in the Marine Corps the day before his eighteenth birthday and served proudly as a Sergeant in the Signal Corps. He was stationed in Okinawa when World War II ended and was honorably discharged in May of 1946. He returned to New York and continued on to study business at Albany Business College, taking breaks to go walk the love of his life across the street as she studied in nursing school. On November 13, 1948 he married Anita Ardizzone, starting a marriage spanning more than 72 years.

He lived in New York until 1964, when he and his family moved to Edina, Minnesota. In 1972, his job moved his family to Waco, Texas where he lived until his death. He valued hard work and retired after 40 years of employment with Lehigh Cement Company in 1986. He then started the next chapter of his life doing what he loved most, spending time with family.

Pop-Pop was a proud family man, and although he was an only child, delighted in the large family he led so well. He will be remembered fondly for so many reasons. He amazed us all with his incredible memory. He loved to share his stories from childhood with his family, especially if he could tell those over morning donuts. He will be remembered for his sweet contented smile, his funny quirks (including his love of reading greeting cards aloud and his continuous list making), and his strong character.

Pop-Pop leaves behind a legacy of love. He taught his family the importance of commitment and love by his 81 years of loving the same woman. He and his wife, “Nini”, loved each other more on their last day together than their first, and were intentional about showing that love daily. Generations of family to come will continue this tradition of valuing love and family over all.

Survivors include wife Anita; children Michael Frederick, Debbie Frederick Johnson, Mark Frederick (Merrideth), Kimberly Longnecker (James), Philip Frederick (Suzanne); grandchildren Scott Frederick, Jennifer Reyes, Molly Strickland (Mark), Melissa Frederick, Jessica Parsley (Chad), and Jonathan Frederick (Laine); great grandchildren Mickaela, Izabel, Abigail, Alex, Kylie, Luke, Norah, Lucy, and Caroline; and many others whom they loved as their own children and grandchildren, and returned their love in the same way. He was preceded in death by daughter-in-law Linda Frederick.

Donations in his honor can be made to Fuzzy Friends or Waco Humane Society, to honor his love of dogs.