Worked with Fred for many years......shocked to see this so late.  Condolences to all in Fred's family circle.  Smooth sailing Fred.  Dan Dexter

I knew Fred in Eastern's MBA program in 1990/1991. We were in a group project together. He was a very nice man and I enjoyed getting to know him a bit. Sorry for your loss.

Fred and I worked together for 9 years at CMS and TAQA.  He was a very good man and engineer.  My thought and prayers go out to his friends and family during this sorrowful time.

Natalie and Richard, please accept Nicole and my condolences for the loss of your beloved father!  Even though we had not seen much of Fred over the years, he was very, very kind to Moe and Jane the last few years.  He was there for them when they needed him the most.  I just wish that I could have reciprocated for him!  I know that he expected nothing for his kindness and selfness and that was just who he was!  Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and if there is anything that you need please let us know.  I am splitting my time between NYC and LA, but will help where I can.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family!

Best,

Steve and Nicole

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.

Natalie and Richard,
Your father was a great man, a great father and an inspiration for who you have become.  He will always be in your hearts. His memory will always be clear.

Love to all of you.

Tom and Becky Bertha'

Our condolences go to all of Fred's family and friends. - We knew Fred when he was 10 years old and became a teenager. And I was involved in his Eagle Scout project. We always heard from his parents how proud they were about his service in the merchant marine. – We are immigrants who came here in the 1960's. Fred's wonderful parents Vernon and Pat helped us to smoothen our initial steps in this country. We are still grateful to them. We occasionally visit their grave site. Our first Thanksgiving dinner ever was at their house on Avon Road. And we knew all the siblings, Dick, Fred, Libby and Ed. We even “babysat” for them while the parents were out of town. We still remember how the tragic death of Fred's older brother affected the family. – You had your life, Fred. Rest in peace.

Dear Richard and Natalie, 

Your Dad's classmates in the Academy Class of '74 offer our deepest condolences on Fred's passing. We knew him to be a man of energy, passion and true friendship. He will be sorely missed.

Rich and Natalie, 
I will always remember your Dad as a fun loving man who loved you both very much.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Rich and Natalie- You are blessed to have a father who loves you so much.  Dad will continue to be proud of you in all of your accomplishments.  You are in my prayers.

In the 4 years of chaos that was the Academy you could always look to Fred for a good dose of peace.  When things got crazy Fred could always make you see what was really important.
I was also lucky enough to have Professor Phelps for a course at UM, from what I saw you have a great family.

Our condolences. Fred was a great classmate, sailor, and friend. You are missed. Fair winds, Jim Garrett, US Coast Guard Academy Class of 1974. 

How Long Have You Been a Sailor ?

All my bloomin' life.
Me mother was a mermaid.
Me father was King Neptune.
I was born on the crest of a wave
And rocked in the cradle of the deep.
Seaweed and barnacles are me clothes,
Every tooth in me head is a marlinspike,
The hair on me head is hemp,
Every bone in me body's a spar,
And when I spits, I spits tar.
I'se hard, I is, I am, I are.

--- an Old Answer to an Old Question

I didn't know Richard, and I don't know the family, but what I do know is that my mother was being treated in the Elmhurst Hospital next to Natalie the night her father died.  What I do know is how much pain Natalie was in that night, and I just wanted to reach out to her somehow to say how very sorry I am for her loss and how much I wish her peace at this horrible time.  I spoke to her friend who was with her that night, but I wanted to share with Natalie directly that we all felt for you that night.  So sorry.

I only met Mr. Fred Phelps once but he was very cordial to me. During an important transitional time in my sister Lauren's life he took her in and allowed her to rent his basement. I'll always be grateful to him for that.  He also was a great father to Rich and Natalie, both of whom I've had the pleasure of spending time with and who are great souls. Though his time on earth in a human sense is up, his spirit is still her with all the lives he's touched.

Dear Natalie and Richard,

I had the pleasure of meeting your dad in the Summer of 1970.  That summer we were part of Section 2 at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.  The entire summer was one of extreme stress, your dad with his low key demeanor was instrumental to our Section making it through that summer.

I'll never forget the Summer of 1970 and your dad.

My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

Natalie, Rich and Pam, 

I am so sorry to hear of Fred's passing. Please know, my thoughts and prayers are with you all, now and always.

Kids, always remember your Dad loved you and he is a part of you and he will live on through you. I know the hurt you feel now is incredible, from experience I know that. But, I also know that over time that hurt will lessen. So, please try to go forward greeting each day of your lives with a positive approach and a smile. 

 Love, Linda Johnson

First off, my love and prayers go out to his family. I'm sure this is hard for u but just know your family is here for you. I was always so glad to see him at most, or all, of Pam's family get togethers. He was and is a big part of my childhood memories. So, it was really emotional to reflect back on all of our fun times we shared together. He is sadly missed and it hurts to think about this tragedy. However, I will always have those amazing memories of our family and Fred deep in my heart.
  Fred, Thank you for all of the great memories. We will deeply miss you. 
Love, Todd

I am so very sorry to hear about Fred.  Sending our condolences to the family.

My condolences to family and friends at this difficult time; may your memories comfort you.

It is so hard to find the words during this difficult time-so I borrowed from others.  My thoughts and prayers are with you- Deb

Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar, when I put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving seems asleep, too full for sound and foam,
when that which drew from out the boundless deep, turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark.
And may there be no sadness of farewell when I embark.
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place the flood may bear me far, 
I hope to see my Pilot face to face, when I have crossed the bar.
Alfred Lord Tennyson

Feel no guilt in laughter, he'd know how much you care.
Feel no sorow in a smile that he is not here to share..
You cannot grieve forever. He would not want you to..
He'd hope that you could carry on the way you always do.
So, talk about the good times, the days you spent together,
all the happiness you shared.  Let memories surround you. A word someone may say will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day, that brings him back as clearly as though he were still here, and fills you with the feeling that he is always near.  For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart.  He will live forever, locked safely within your heart.
Unknown

Fred became a member of a close knit family during our four years together at the Academy. We will all miss you Fred, along with the rest of your family and friends. See you on the other side of the bar.

Fred was always a part of our family and his presence will be deeply missed by Pam, myself and our kids.  We had all been together 2 weeks ago and had the best time watching Richard and Natalie run in the Chicago marathon. This was Richard's first full marathon and his Dad was just so proud of him. Fred's Princess Natalie has been running marathons for some time now, Richard  and Natalie ran together for the whole race. 

Fred crossed his finish line in first place! Goodbye dear friend…..

Please come and honor Fred at the memorial next Monday if you can.  

Peace and Love, Kevin

We will miss Fred - our classmate from the USCGA class of 1974.  I am so fortunate to have gotten to know him much more closely during the last few years.  Our prayers are with the family. 
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" (Ro 5:1)

Jim Rutkovsky (Mystic, CT)

I came with Fred from the Academy to spend the weekend in Ann Arbor with his folks, and he took me out to where everybody rode their dirt bikes.  Fred was utterly fearless and took this jump at maybe 60+ mph.  He and his bike went 20 feet in the air over my head if they went an inch.  The bike landed with both wheels on the ground with Fred on top but they both immediately crashed to the ground and Fred went face down in the dirt.  I thought he was seriously injured, but he got up, smiled broadly, brushed himself off, and then went and took that jump again.  He was a wild man!  A friend for life and sorely missed.  God broke a mold when He made Fred.

I am so sorry for your loss.  You are in my prayers.

Fred was a brother to Steve, Sue and me. 

Fred was Jane and Moe's first son. 

Fred was the kindest, most selfless person I've ever met.

We are utterly devastated. I'm sorry we can't be there in person, but please know that we share your grief. 

Love John, Nicolette, Ellie and Jasmine.

May your memories carry you thru the sad and happy times , thoughts are with you . Blessings coming your way .

Richard and Natalie you are blessed to have a loving father. He will be with you always. You are in my thoughts.

So sorry for loss.  Nicole you and family are in my thoughts!!!!

Pam, Rich and Natalie we are so very sorry for your loss.  May your wonderful memories ease the pain that you are feeling now.  Our prayers are out to you.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Pam and family I know how it is to lose a father, but I hope in time your hearts will be feel with happiness with the memories of him. And he is ok.

OBITUARY

Frederick George Phelps

3 May, 1952 – 22 October, 2013

Muehlig Funeral Chapel

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