Frederic "Fred" Peterson Walsh

Wilmore, Kentucky Frederic (Fred) Peterson Walsh was born 1 November 1946 in Wilmington, DE, the first child of Frederic W. and Anna Peterson Walsh. The family moved to Albany, NY in 1950. On December 26, 1958, Frederic W. died suddenly leaving eight children from age 12 years to 9 months for Anna to raise. The family moved to a small farm in Worcester, NY in 1959. All the children graduated from Worcester Central School. Fred attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks; he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a commission as second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in June 1969. At Lowery AFB, CO, Fred trained in the Aerospace Munitions Officer Basic Course. His first Munitions Maintenance Officer assignment was at Hill AFB, UT, where he met the love of his life Patricia Maack. They were married 10 September 1971. Other munitions assignments include the 366th Munitions Maintenance Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai AFB; the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing Explosives Safety Office, Korat RTAFB where he served in the Vietnam War. He also was Directorate of Munitions Training, Lowry AFB, CO; and 20th Tactical Fighter Wing Weapons Safety Office, Royal Air Force Station, Upper Heyford, UK. Fred's assignments as an engineer include Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH and Aircraft Engineering Division, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, NE. He retired in the rank of Major in 1989; he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal. In retirement, he lived in Lancaster, CA from 1989 until 2005. He was active in building Christ Our Savior United Methodist Church in Quartz Hill and renovating and making significant additions to Lancaster United Methodist Church. Once in Kentucky, Fred and Patricia designed and constructed the prayer chapel at Nicholasville United Methodist Church where he was prayer coordinator. His passion was for all to know the Lord through prayer. Fred was active in the High Desert Emmaus West community where he served as Lay Director of the Community. He also was active in the Lexington Emmaus Community where he often led Sponsor's Hour, worked walks, and was hoping to be Lay Director of a future walk. Fred certified as a referee in the Bicester Branch, Oxford Football Association, United Kingdom in 1979. In the USA, he rose to State level United States Soccer Federation referee and a trainer. He refereed high school soccer for twelve years in Lancaster, California where he also was a substitute teacher for fifteen years in the Antelope Valley Union High School District. Fred and Patricia moved to Kentucky upon Patricia's retirement in June 2005. In death, he leaves his darling wife Patricia, daughter Audra (Timothy) Lexin and son Eric (Emily) Walsh, three granddaughters Tatiana and Aylah Lexin and Suzanna Walsh, and a grandson Frederic James Walsh. In addition, he is survived by two brothers: Henry (Patricia) and Michael (Dion), and four sisters: Susan (Andrew) Bell, Anna Walsh, Carol (Brian) Whitney, and Marthe Walsh as well as several nieces and nephews. Fred was preceded in death by both his father and mother, and his younger brother Daniel. Funeral Information Memorial Service will be held 10:30 AM, Thursday, November 12, 2015 at United Methodist Church in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Burial will follow at Camp Nelson National Cemetery at 12:30 PM.