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In Loving Memory of

Frederick "Fred" George Ferguson

December 30th, 1936 - August 8th, 2024

Obituary

Frederick “Fred” George Ferguson, 87, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle passed away peacefully at the The Village at Penn State in State College, PA on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joan Ellen “Joelle” Ferguson; his children, Erin (Bob) Crow of Alexandria, VA; Steve (Bev) Ferguson of Carson City, NV; and Paula (Will) Walker of Saline, MI. Fred was preceded in death by his son, Scott Ferguson; daughter, Christine Thomson; and son-in-law, John Thomson.

Fred also leaves behind grandchildren, Laura (Derrick), Michael, Amanda, Megan, Emma, Gretchen, and Cameron; and great-grandchildren, Nolan, Lucy, and Carson. Fred was brother to four siblings. He is survived by his brother Robert of Green Bay, WI; and many nieces and nephews. Fred’s sisters, Pat, Joyce and Lois, preceded him in death.

Born on December 30, 1936, in Green Bay, WI, Fred was the son of the late Harold and Lydia Ferguson. He grew up in a loving family; Lydia was a homemaker and Harold was a master carpenter and ship builder. Fred graduated from Green Bay East High School in 1955.

After high school Fred attended the University of Wisconsin graduating in 1959 with a B.S. degree in Biology. It was at a 1957 University of Wisconsin football game that Fred met his future wife, Joelle Remington. On August 22,1959, they were married in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Fred and Joelle began their married life together with a move to Stillwater, OK, where Fred was accepted to veterinary school at Oklahoma State University. Joelle worked as a registered nurse, while Fred attended classes and worked various veterinary-related jobs. It was during this time they started their family.

In 1963, Fred received his DVM and began work at a veterinary practice. Soon after Fred pursued additional education and career opportunities in the field of veterinary medicine. In 1965, Fred earned a Masters of Public Health from Tulane University in New Orleans. He then accepted a veterinary position at the ASPCA of New York City, and later earned his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in Immunopathology.

In 1970, Fred was offered a position at Penn State University as Professor of Veterinary Science. Fred and Joelle settled in Park Forest Village, and made State College their permanent home. Along with teaching and research, Fred served as Director of the Animal Resource Program, playing a significant role in its expansion. He also served as Director of the Centralized Biological Laboratory. Fred retired from Penn State in 2002, and continued work in various consulting positions.

Fred loved his family dearly, and showed it in many ways. As his grown children moved around the country, holidays were invariably a time for everyone to gather. Fred and Joelle loved hosting large family get togethers, and family trips to the Outer Banks and Long Beach Island. Over the years Fred and Joelle took great joy in visiting their children at their homes, and watching their grandchildren grow into amazing young adults.

Fred and family remained close to his Green Bay family and friends with annual summer trips “home” to Wisconsin. In later years, annual fall vacations with Fred's siblings and their spouses were greatly treasured.

Fred was a life long fan of the Green Bay Packers, Pirates baseball, and all Penn State sports. His hobbies included woodworking, gardening, reading, and playing cribbage. His love of travel ran deep, and included extensive travel around the U.S. and Europe. Over the years Fred volunteered at Meals on Wheels, Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Lions Club, and St. Paul Lutheran Church.

We miss you so much Fred/Dad/Grandpa/Pappy. Your love for family and friends; along with your sense of humor and hearty laugh will remain in our hearts forever.

The family would like to thank the Wellness and Atrium staff at The Village, along with UPMC Hospice for their care and assistance.

A celebration of life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 277 W. Pine Grove Rd, Pine Grove Mills, PA. The visitation will be Friday, August 30, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a church service and refreshments at 2:00 p.m. The service will be live streamed, please contact family for the link. Committal will be family only at Boalsburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders, or to a charity of your choice.

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Memorial Events

VISITATION

Date & Time Fri, Aug 30, 2024
01:00 PM to 02:00 PM

Address St. Paul Lutheran Church
227 W. Pine Grove Road
Pine Grove Mills, PA 16868

FUNERAL SERVICE

Date & Time Friday 08/30/2024 at 02:00 PM

Address St. Paul Lutheran Church
227 W. Pine Grove Road
Pine Grove Mills, PA 16868

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