Fred A. Schenk's Obituary
Frederick Allen Schenk was born in Tacoma, Washington on May 19, 1926. He had one older half-sister, Jean, two younger sisters Mary and Janet (Hughes), and a younger brother, Ken. He passed on February 5, 2025 at the ripe old age of 98 years.
Fred grew up in Tacoma and graduated from Stadium High School in 1944 and then enlisted in the Navy. He served on a transport ship in the Pacific theater as a Gunner’s Mate. After WW II, he was hired by the Washington State Patrol on November 1, 1947 and retired on April 1, 1976. He began his career in Tacoma, and it was there that he met his wife, Mildred D. Fisher (Meredith) who worked as a radio operator.
Together, he accepted assignments to Snoqualmie Pass, Bellingham, South King County, Cle Elum as a Sergeant, and finally, finished in Bellevue as a Lieutenant. Before he was promoted to Sergeant, Fred often testified in court on how the breathalyzer functioned since he was the first Trooper to receive this training in Washington. As a Trooper, he apprehended one bank robber in Burien and was once involved in the pursuit of a man that ended in a spectacular accident, the pictures of which were sent worldwide.
Fred was also a member of the WSP Pistol Team. He rarely practiced and was a natural at competing against fellow law enforcement officers where he won many trophies in state and national competitions and was arguably the state patrol’s best sharpshooter.
After Fred retired in 1976, he and his wife, Meredith, purchased a five-acre farm in Auburn where he raised cattle, pigs, and chickens, had a large garden and grew lots of berries. He later teamed up with a friend from the Bellingham area and leased ten acres near Southcenter where he grew corn and strawberries. He also did a stint as a high school resource officer and drove motor homes to and from dealerships and home shows until the company would not insure him anymore when he turned 80.
Fred was quite accomplished and had a good sense of humor. He told jokes and funny stories and always liked to imitate a barking dog when he met dogs. He was an avid fisherman and grew up fishing around Point Defiance and off of Salmon Beach in the Tacoma area. He took his family on summer vacations and on camping trips. He and Meredith taught their three sons to be independent at early ages and because of this independence, were able to send them off for three summers in Eastern Washington, picking fruit, without adult supervision!
Fred could do just about anything. He was a good cook, could sew, did leatherworks, raised livestock, grew crops, could build a home and rebuild engines. He was honest, taught his children to be responsible and to work hard.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Meredith, on January 4, 2012. He is survived by his three boys, Steve, (Darlene), Gary, (Deana), and Brian, (Diane). He has 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on March 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Mountain View Cemetery in Lakewood. Family and friends are invited and a reception will follow.
What’s your fondest memory of Fred?
What’s a lesson you learned from Fred?
Share a story where Fred's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Fred you’ll never forget.
How did Fred make you smile?