Obituary of Frederick Webster

Fred was born October 12, 1941, in Montpelier, Vermont, to Ruth Short Webster, and passed from this earth to be with his Lord and Savior in Heaven on Friday, March 18, 2016, from complications of leukemia. As a child, Fred's purpose in life was to support his extremely poor family. He did that by having the largest paper route in Montpelier. For years he faithfully walked miles up and down the hills every single day. After graduating from St. Michael's High School in 1960, he joined the Air Force, served as a medic in a hospital in the Philippines, and spent time at Vandenberg AFB where he began enjoying and honing his skills at bowling. After an honorable discharge, Fred joined the Guard and continued serving until retirement 20 years later. In the late 1960's, Fred moved back to Vermont, worked for the state as the Motor Fuel Tax Examiner, and continued bowling. He had a graceful motion that earned him a high average and several 300 games. He was the President of both the Men's Bowling League and the Junior Bowling League. In addition, he was a certified bowling instructor. He loved working with the youth. In 1975, Fred married Kathy Eastep (he loved dancing with her), a teacher from Barre Town Elementary, and in 1977 they headed West. For a while, they lived in Caldwell, Idaho, where they had two sons, Brooke and Reed. In addition to working there, Fred finished his Bachelor's requirements in business, graduating from Boise State University in 1981. In the Fall of 1982, Fred moved his family to Eugene. His job with the State of Oregon provided some flexibility with his hours (he even refused a promotion in order to keep that) which afforded him more time with his sons at sporting events and Scouts. Because his father had been absent from his childhood home, Fred was determined to be the best father he could be, and that meant spending time with his sons. Family trips included the East coast, Vermont, California, and Australia. In addition, Fred and Kathy enjoyed trips with friends to Hawaii, Alaska, and Las Vegas. Fred was an AARP tax volunteer for 10 years and helped in his church's office. In later years, though bowling remained his first love, he had to give it up and replaced it with golf. He and Kathy enjoyed playing together, even though they both had high handicaps. And Fred was an avid Duck fan, enjoying sports events in person, listening to radio broadcasts, and watching on television. Fred was a devoted family man and an all around nice guy. He will be missed. Fred is survived by his wife Kathy of Eugene; son Brook, wife Stephanie, and their 4 children of Springfield; son Reed, wife Kelsey, and their 2 children of Lincoln, CA; brother Tom and wife Cindy of FL; and sister Valerie of VT. Please join us for a celebration of Fred's life on Saturday, April 2, at 11:00 at Valley Covenant Church on 18th and Bailey Hill Road. There will be a potluck following the service. Please feel free to wear your Duck gear. Those wishing to honor Fred by making donations, please consider Hosea Youth Services, Egan Warming Center, or the Eugene Mission. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Memorial Funeral Home. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com