Frederick Parker Savage

Frederick Parker Savage was born on February 27, 1917 in Seneca Falls in the Finger Lakes district of upstate New York. His parents, Doctor Earl and Carolyn Savage moved to Weslaco, Texas when Fred was 5 years old.

Fred's father was a veterinarian in care of thousands of mules and horses at the cavalry army posts along the Texas/Mexico border. Doctor Savage decided to return to Texas after his discharge from the military because of the bitter cold winters up north.

When Fred was in high school, the family lived in Corpus Christi where Fred made many life-long friends, among them Alfred King of the King Ranch family. Fred and Alfred remained friends until Alfred's death.

After high school Fred moved to New York City, where he studied the organ under the very best of instructors. During his New York City years, Fred took full advantage of the cultural aspects of the city.

When he completed his schooling in NYC, he was employed by Schriener Institute in Kerrville, Texas to teach music to their students.

During WWII, Fred served as an Assistant Chaplin in the United States Navy. He served 2 years in Trinidad where he met fellow sailor and life-long friend Nicholas George, who now resides in Maryland. Nick visited Fred yearly.

Upon his return to Austin, Fred became a salesman for Conn Organ Company selling and overseeing the installation of organs in many Austin churches. He was also the organist for several churches, including St. David's Episcopal Church, and funeral homes, especially Weed-Corley-Fish. Fred was a member and a choir director of The Church of Good Shepherd.

In 1952, he married Emma (Girly) Wendlandt, the only daughter of Carl and Sofia Wendlandt who had emigrated from Germany. She was the only sister to 6 brothers living in the family's historic home on West 9th Street. The Wendlandt family established one of the first real estate companies in Austin.

In 1953, Fred and Emma built a beautiful home on the corner of Balcones and Edgemont in Austin, Texas. The house always contained 2-3 organs, plus a pipe organ room.

Emma died in 1986. Fred continued to live in his home until 2003 when he moved to Bastrop to live with his sister Bloin's son, Fred Pecenka, and his family. Fred Savage lived in Bastrop until 2008 when both his nephew and his nephew's wife died within a week of each other.

At that time, Fred moved back to Austin to live in the home of his best friends, Cleigh Nease and Thom Cowley, on Mount Barker Drive very close to his old home on Balcones.

Fred remained in their home until his death on February 26, 2012. Fred, Thom and Cleigh had travelled together on many wonderful trips-always entertained by the many jokes that Fred told.

Fred is survived by his nephew, Walter Wendlandt and Walter's sons Cavitt, James, and Bill Wendlandt, and his great nephew Rick Pecenka. In addition, he is survived by Cleigh Nease, Cleigh's son Bobby Wesner, and Bobby's family Caressa, Jaxon, and Alyson Wesner.

Although Fred was born in New York, he was a true southern gentleman full of kindness, generosity and laughter.

Fred was a longtime member of the Austin Saengerrunde, enjoying the parties and longtime friendships.

Cleigh and his son Bobby want to express their gratitude to Cody Carter, Jose and Barbara Santiago and all the wonderful doctors for their devoted care of Fred during the past year.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012 at Capital Memorial Park in Pflugerville.