Capt. Fred M. NEVITT Jr. USN(ret)

May 5, 1924

January 31, 2021

Captain Fred M. Nevitt Jr, USN (ret) departed on his final flight in the early morning hours of January 31, 2021. Born May 5, 1924, the only child of Fred and Phyllis Nevitt, he was the son and grandson of blacksmiths in rural western Kansas.

Like many children of the Depression, Fred grew up poor in possessions, but wealthy in family and experiences. He was no stranger to hard work, and spent his summers working on his uncle’s farm. Fred excelled as an athlete, leading his high school basketball team to the Kansas state championship in 1941.

With the advent of Pearl Harbor, Fred begged his parents to sign the age waiver and allow him to join the Navy, but they demurred. Upon turning 18, he signed up for the Navy’s Aviation Cadet program, and continued studying at Kansas State University until going to Basic Training in the Fall of 1942. Thus began a 33-year naval career that spanned three wars and the opportunity to fly everything from biplanes to supersonic jet fighters. Along the way Fred married the love of his life, Mildred Rose Lewis, and was a devoted husband for 73 years. Fred and Milly were blessed with two sons, Patrick and Russell, both of whom followed their dad’s footsteps as Naval Aviators.

Retirement from the Navy in 1975 allowed Fred and Milly to enjoy traveling all over Europe. Fred was also able to indulge his two newfound interests: French cuisine and archaeology. Every summer for the next two decades, they would journey to the south of France to wine and dine with friends.

At home in Pacific Beach, Fred was active at St. Brigid Parish for many years, and assisted Milly in volunteering for the American Heart Association and the American Hemochromatosis Society. Fred also thoroughly enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons and grandchildren.

Taking up skiing at age 60, Fred and Milly spent three years building a cabin in Big Bear. There was very little that Fred couldn’t make or repair, and his garage was a testimony to the ultimate handyman. As he entered his nineties, his body began to wear out, but never his intellect. Keen and inquisitive to the end, he often wondered if he would be with his beloved wife, who passed in September 2019, and what it would be like “on the other side.”

Besides their two sons, Fred and Milly are survived by four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Fred M. Nevitt Jr. set the standard for what it means to be a man, husband, father, friend, patriot and Naval Officer. All who knew him were better for it, and those who did not missed out on rubbing shoulders with a genuine class act. Fair winds and following seas on your final voyage, Dad. You will be forever in our hearts, and never forgotten.

Private, family-only services at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Pacific Beach and burial at Miramar National Cemetery are pending.