Fredrick W. Holtz

Fredrick W. Holtz, a longtime Moses Lake resident, passed peacefully at his home on March 11, 2014. He turned 94 on February 4th. For years, Fred was a familiar friendly face around Moses Lake, with his fit Jack LaLanne physique, big laugh, and no-nonsense personality.

Fred is survived by his wife Jackie Holtz, Moses Lake; two daughters and their husbands, Carmen (Steve) Pfeifer, Soap Lake and Lynn (Michael) Logan, Mill Creek, WA; one son and daughter-in-law, Larry (Jill Arnel) Holtz, Portland, OR; 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Fred was born in Barron, in upper Wisconsin, to Fred and Winifred (Hand) Holtz. After high school, he attended aircraft school in Los Angeles, meeting his best friend John Bandli. Fred and John moved to Seattle to work at Boeing. In 1942, Fred switched to his long career with Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Co. where he met his wife Betty. During World War II, he served in the army as a meteorologist.

In the 1950s, when TV was new, Fred frequently set up long distance video links over the Cascade Mountains to bring live sporting events from New York to Seattle. He loved the Columbia Basin for its climate and beauty, so he transferred his phone company job, moving the family to Moses Lake. Fred introduced Betty and the kids to hunting and fishing, sand dunes, water skiing in the summer, and ice skating in the winter.

Several years after Betty's death in 1965, Fred met Jackie, another wonderful fellow phone company employee. They married and led active happy lives together enjoying many golden sunsets on the lake until his recent passing. Fred and Jackie enjoyed bowling and square-dancing with friends. Fred, an accomplished electronics technician, inspired his son Larry to take up radio broadcasting in Seattle and Portland.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Touch of Love, especially Megan and her family, for the special care and love they extended to Fred during his last few months. Their support and encouragement has been amazing!

A private memorial service for Fred will be held in Moses Lake on March 29th. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory.