Fred Robert Welter

Fred was born on February 1, 1944, in Maysville, Missouri, to Fred Byron Welter and Mary Elizabeth Welter (née Cowles). He grew up on a small farm in Maysville, where his curiosity and love of learning were evident from an early age. In high school, he won a science fair competition that earned him the opportunity to visit naval bases throughout the United States after building an electron microscope.

Fred attended the University of Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He began his career with Boeing in Cape Canaveral, contributing to the Saturn V project. He later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Florida Institute of Technology and went on to work as a reliability and quality control engineer. He concluded his distinguished career with Lockheed Martin in Cape Canaveral, where he worked on the Space Shuttle program.

An avid learner throughout his life, Fred was deeply interested in other cultures, religions, and countries. He was happiest when connecting with people whose experiences and perspectives differed from his own.

Fred is survived by his first wife, Jeanne Holt; their children, Jason (Deirdre) Welter, Jennifer (Jon) Tasso, John Paul Welter, Julia Stywall, and Jeremy Welter; his second wife, Bonnie Jo (Brause) Welter; and their children, Christina (Patrick O'Rourke) Welter and Christopher (Vontisha) Welter. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Fred will be cremated through Merritt Funeral Home in Brooksville, Florida. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no public service.

His family will remember him for his lifelong curiosity, his dedication to his work, and his genuine interest in the people and world around him.