Fred was born in Milford, MA on July 3, 1932 to Fred and Fannie DeBoer. After graduating as Salutatorian from Northbridge High School in Whitinsville, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA. While at WPI, Fred was a member of SAE fraternity and the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi.
Upon graduation in 1953, Fred accepted a position with General Electric in Lynn, MA and earned his Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University. Fred and Irene married and started a family with two sons, David and Douglas. After training assignments with GE in Somersworth, NH and Burlington, VT, Fred transferred to Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Niskayuna, NY where the family remained for the next 33 years. General Electric operated KAPL for the US Navy and the US Department of Energy in support of various naval nuclear propulsion programs. Most of his time was spent as Manager of the Surface Ship (Cruiser) Power Plant Engineering Group and concurrently as Manager of the Cruiser Program.
Upon Fred’s retirement in 1993, the DeBoer’s moved to East Orleans where they both became very active in the numerous community activities including the Orleans Historical Society, the Nauset Newcomers, Habitat for Humanity, and volunteering in the classrooms of local schools. Retirement also allowed Fred to pursue his love for sailing where he enjoyed his 18’ Herreshoff America Catboat on Pleasant bay. His sailing achievements included open ocean sailing trips to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, complete navigation around Cape Cod, and participation in the annual Pleasant Bay Catboat gathering for twenty plus years.
The family enjoyed a lifetime of boating and camping at Lake George, and much hiking and mountain climbing in the Adirondacks. Fred and his youngest son, Doug became early members of the Adirondack 46’ers. Membership is only achieved after hiking all 46 peaks in the Adirondacks above 4,000 feet high.
Throughout their married life the DeBoer’s enjoyed the theater, concerts, and museum going and traveling internationally with family and friends. Travel was always enlightening but “home is where the heart is”. Home is the reproduction Cape Cod house Irene and Fred created in 1984 and enjoyed as a joint hobby ever since.
Fred is survived by his wife, Irene of East Orleans, son David (Kim) of Sea Ranch, CA, his sister Carol Donlan (Jim) of Peoria IL, his grandsons Michael, Myles, and Scott, granddaughter Kate, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son Douglas DeBoer of East Orleans, MA.
Burial will be private. His remains will be interred in the Orleans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Broad Reach Hospice of Cape Cod.
For online condolences please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com
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