Fred Helde, 76, long-time resident of Skagit County and Whidbey Island, passed away Sept. 25, 2008 at his home in Burlington. Fred was born Aug. 25, 1932 to Oscar and Ethel Helde of Mount Vernon. Fred was baptized and confirmed in the First Lutheran Church. He attended Harmony Grade School, graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1950, and attended Skagit Valley College. He joined the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Alaska for three years. He then served for six years in the Army Reserves as a staff sergeant.
Fred began working for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in October 1955 as a certified communications cablesplicer. In 1957 he was certified as a high voltage splicer and was one of only three people in the U.S. Navy with this dual certification. Fred cross-trained in all electrical trades, received a well-earned promotion to planner/estimator in January 1971. In that same year he was sent to Midway Island to contract service for one year and again in 1974 for two years. While on Midway a lightning storm in 1976 did extensive damage to the runway and the high voltage lighting cables. Fred and his team engineered the largest in-house repair job ever for $350,000, verses the lowest estimated bid of $1.5 million. The team was highly commended for saving the government $1.2 million and performing a superior job.
Fred’s talents were recognized in 1984 when he was chosen to fill a void in the engineering department, filling the position as electrical engineer. Fred received an achievement award for attaining a 75 percent usage goal for engineering performance standards. Fred retired in 1986. He credited his electrical expertise to growing up on the family farm, his numerous jobs in his youth and the U.S. Army and the Navy for their extensive schooling and training.
Fred was active in many organizations including Elks, VFW, Pita, Moose, American Legion, Oak Harbor Yacht Club (commodore for two years), U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, chief shop steward and president of AFGE Government Union, as well as the Oak Harbor Citizens Patrol. His hobbies, many of which continued from his youth, were flying airplanes, boating and building boats, flying stunt kites, building and flying R.C. airplanes, and trap shooting. He also was very involved in attending and supporting sprint-car racing and traveled all over the U.S, to attend races and support his favorite racers.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Ethel Helde, a brother Francis, Mary Helde-Weidenbach, mother of his children, and wife Carolyn Oakley Helde. Fred married Kay Robinson in 2001. before becoming ill, they were able to take many trips in their motor home.
Fred is survived by his wife Kay Helde of Burlington; daughters Colleen Ladwig and son-in-law Ray Ladwig of Oak Harbor, and Darlene Foy and her husband Dan of Oregon City, Ore.; grandchildren Justin Ladwig and his wife Amber, Jeremy Ladwig, Nicholas and Sean Foy; stepchildren, Tom Patton, Ron Patton, Jim Woessner, Richard Robinson, Michele Thorne, Jenifer Martinson and all their families; sisters, Judy Bergren of Mesa, Ariz., Jeanie Moen of Mount Vernon; brother, Gerald Helde of Mount Vernon; aunts, Helen Knudson of Oak Harbor and Shirley Drake of Seattle; also by many cousins, nephews and nieces.
Services will be held at the First Lutheran Church located on Blackburn Road in Mount Vernon on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. Memorials in Fred’s name are suggested to the First Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon Washington or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Affordable Burial & Cremation Services, LLC of Mount Vernon. Cards of condolence may be mailed to the family in care of the funeral home.
