IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Fredrick Lee
Bowditch
July 20, 1939 – December 3, 2015
Obituary
FREDRICK LEE BOWDITCH
Born July 20, 1939
Died December 3, 2015
Preceded in death by father JW and mother Eileen of Pittsford, MI.
Also preceded in death by wife Malinda (Dobbins).
Survived by wife Eva (Gordon); older brothers Jim and Jack, and sister-in-law Pat; son David, daughters Ellie and Tammy (Eric); grandchildren Olivia, Kevin, Brian, Max and Alex. Also survived by lifelong best friends Jim and Kathy Shirey.
Fred did not want a formal memorial service. However, Fred's family asks that you "join" them in prayer as they gather at his new church in Florida on the morning of Sunday, December 20th for 11:00 EST Sunday worship services. His family looks forward to feeling the warmth of prayer from friends and family all across the country on that morning.
Fred's family also hopes you enjoy reading about his life at beckerfamilyfuneral.com. Condolence messages can also be left at the web site.
In lieu of flowers, Fred asked that any small memorial contribution be sent to either:
First Congregational Church, 4340 S Pittsford Rd, Pittsford, MI 49271
or
South Lake Presbyterian Church, 131 Chestnut St, Clermont FL 34711
FREDRICK LEE BOWDITCH
Born and raised in the small village of Pittsford, MI, Fred finished his senior year in 1957 as the captain of the football team, the senior class president AND newly married to his future wife of 50 years, Malinda Dobbins. Tammy was born later that year and the young family continued to grow when David was born in 1961 then Ellie in 1965.
Fred and Malinda bought their first home in 1962 and the amazing years at Bird Lake, MI began. The 14 years at Bird Lake were a time when Fred was truly in his prime and the friendships made there lasted all of his life – as do all the stories that came from those years!!
In 1976, Fred began a new career that meant moving his family to another state. His new job was in the Wholesale Plumbing industry and he went on to become a well-respected Plumbing Sales Professional until his retirement in 2005. That original job took the Bowditch family to Durand, WI for a wonderful 3 years. Fred said it is the best town in the world to enjoy a few beers!! After a brief assignment in Compton, IL, Fred fought to return "home" to Southeastern Michigan. He and Malinda headed back to family and friends where Fred started a new job AND they bought and ran the Sunset Acres Motel in Hudson for the next 4 years.
But the wonderful memories of living at a lake were strong and a new lake home in Hillsdale soon followed. Fred loved nothing more than simply being at their home on South Sand Lake and said he didn't want to travel anywhere else since nothing could ever beat the view he had on his own porch! Every one of his five grandchildren smile as they remember Grandpa sitting either at the helm of his crazy little yellow pontoon boat OR leaning back at his porch table (of course with a beer in his hand!!).
From 2002-2008, Fred dedicated everything he had and everything he was to his wife Malinda as they fought a courageous battle with her cancer. There were several years of good health and REALLY good times – but in 2008, Fred became a single man living alone for the first time in his life at age 68.
Fred's last life chapter was proof that from the very worst times can rise some of the best times of life. He first re-dedicated himself to his lifelong roots at the First Congregational Church in Pittsford (including once again becoming a Deacon after a 3 decades between appointments) – and with his lifelong best friend Jim Shirey, helped the Church fulfill a 40-year dream of enlarging and substantially updating the Church Annex. Fred's memory will live on in that little Church in Pittsford where he and all 3 of his children were baptized, and where generations of Bowditch family lives have been honored.
Fred kept playing golf with friends and while enjoying a round at the local course in Litchfield, he re-connected with an old friend from the Bird Lake days – also recently widowed. Eve Gordon first became his golf partner, then his Church partner and then his life partner. Fred's infectious laugh returned and he and Eve were married in July, 2014. Fred and Eve had 7 great years together. The first five were spent summering at Sand Lake and wintering at her home in Clermont, FL and for the past 14 months, full time in Clermont – with Fred at the helm of his newer, bigger pontoon boat!
The stories of Fred's life will be told by many – followed by a laugh, a tear, a toast...
Thanks for all the memories Fred. We will miss you.
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