Captain Frederick R. Hoeppner, Ret., was born Feb. 7, 1918 in Seattle, Wash., to Otto and Ann Hoeppner.
Fred passed away at home on Sept. 5, 2011.
Fred attended Seattle schools, graduating from Franklin High School in 1936. He also attended the University of Washington (1936 – 1940), where he was the captain of the swim team.
While working at Pritchard Beach, he met his future wife, Grace Kauffman. They were married in 1942.
While at the U of W, Fred was selected for the V-7 program and commissioned as ensign, U.S.N.R. Fred’s first station was the USS California, until Dec. 7, 1941.
During his career he was commanding officer of several destroyers (DDR). After serving various shipboard commands, Fred retired from the US Navy in 1969 with the rank of captain.
After retirement Fred and Grace came to the San Juan Islands. Grace passed away later in 1969.
In 1972, Fred married Margaret (Peg) Givens. Peg and Fred built their home on Mitchell Bay. They were both active in community affairs, especially the medical center.
Fred and Peg were members of the Yacht Club, Power Squadron, Sailing Club, and Sailing Foundation. They made many friends on San Juan Island and around the world through their sailing adventures. Many friends followed Fred’s and others racing adventures through his column, “On the Waterfront”, in the Journal of the San Juan Islands.
Fred is survived by wife, Peg, lifelong friend and brother-in-law, Don Kauffman, stepchildren Craig Givens and partner Betsy Gregory (London, England), Carol and husband David Krohn (Kennewick, Wash.), son-in-law Jim Swan, sister-in-law Gloria and husband Earl Kornbrekke, grandchildren Courtland, Weston, Andrea, and great-grandchild William; niece Connie and husband Neil Patterson, nephews Bruce and wife Mary Kauffman, and Mark Hoeppner and family.
He is also survived by special neighbors and friends, Jean and Oliver Noste, Howard and Mary Lewis, Jennifer and Jonathan Bryant, Carol and Dale Marble, Linda and Lee Marble, and John and Ann Bailey.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents Otto and Ann Hoeppner, brother Carroll Hoeppner, stepdaughter Margaret Swan, and nephew Paul Kauffman.
At Fred’s request, no funeral service will be held. However, a Celebration of Life/Wake is planned for the future — date and location will be announced.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to The Sailing Foundation (P.O. Box 2464) or the Friday Harbor Chapter of the Power Squadron. Both organizations are nonprofit and centered around education, which was very close to Fred’s heart.
Evans Funeral Home (Anacortes) is handling arrangements, please visit their website (www.evanschapel.com) and share a favorite “Fred story”.
As everyone who met Fred realizes, he was one of a kind, a very special person.
— Family of Fred Hoeppner
