Hans Fred Haemisegger

Hans Fred Haemisegger passed away peacefully on Saturday, the 1st of August, after 96 years modeling the kindness, generosity, loyalty, integrity and determination that are the hallmarks of a well-lived life. It was these attributes, coupled with a warmth and enduring sense of humanity that touched those with whom he came into contact – from his early days in Switzerland to time spent in British Columbia and Idaho to his forever home in Houston.

Fred’s love of all things outdoors began in his hometown of Adelboden, Switzerland. Mountaineering was in his roots. His grandfather was one of the first certified mountain guides in Switzerland and Fred’s uncles followed in his footsteps, becoming certified ski instructors as well. At the age of three, Fred was stepping into his parents’ skis and by five he was racing. He too became a Swiss certified ski instructor. The Swiss Alps naturally led to a strong affinity for climbing, another skill that he developed and honed throughout his life. His favorite climbs were the Matterhorn in Switzerland, the Bugaboo Spire in Canada, and at age 85, Mount Ranier in the United States.

At the end of WW II, Fred’s father moved the family to British Columbia. When his father made the maiden voyage to Canada, Fred, along with his mother, sold the family business and moved the family to Salmon Arm, Canada to join him. Fred forged a path there with the Forest Service and ultimately made his way to Sun Valley, Idaho, where he became a top ski instructor. It was there he developed lifelong friendships and met his first wife, Emily Coates. Their marriage ultimately led Fred to Houston, where he started a long successful career in banking and a family with his daughters Lisa and Wynne.

Fred was a natural leader and skilled with numbers. His Swiss background and education were a natural for the financial industry. He started as a stockbroker, quickly became a top producer and was branch manager in short order. That started a 30-year career in asset management, investment counselling and commercial banking including Rauscher Pierce, Credit Suisse and several independent commercial banks that Fred ran. He always ran his business with professionalism, high ethical standards and the utmost respect, traits that were recognized and influenced those that were around him.

Fred loved his family deeply and created a welcoming home for his daughters in Houston, Switzerland, and wherever life’s adventures took them. He was proud of Lisa and Wynne and cherished every season spent with them as they grew into adulthood, built families of their own, and carried forward the values he held dear.

Fred had fond memories of his visits with Lisa and Marcel in the Hague, Netherlands. They enjoyed their walks down historic streets, passing palaces and embassies, walking through the beautiful tulip fields, and the scenic countryside.

Fred also enjoyed his visits with Wynne and her family in Sun Valley, Idaho. He loved sharing his passion for skiing with Dillon and Dalton. He had them on skis at the age of three. During his final ski run, at the age of 88, they skied alongside him, honoring his legacy.

It was also in Houston that he met and married his second wife, Bobby Jean Ray. Theirs was a true love story – in sickness and in health – that serves as a model for their families for all time. They both had a passion for life and shared common interests that kept them on the move for 35 full years of marriage. Whether skiing the slopes of Bald Mountain, running 10Ks and marathons, or hiking the trails of Sun Valley, Idaho or Adelboden, Switzerland, or just grilling salmon on the patio, they were always enjoying life together. Their love for each other and the outdoors always shined through. Even in the last years of Bobby’s long illness, he was by her side having dinner, sharing companionship and maintaining his title as the “kissing bandit”. Alzheimer’s was not a hurdle for their deep connection and love.

Bobby and Fred naturally shared a love of fitness, from skiing, to hiking, tennis and running. In fact, their first date was a jog in Memorial Park. They competed in numerous marathons, 10Ks and fun runs including multiple Houston Marathons and a New York Marathon. Fred was proud to have qualified and competed in the Boston Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia on multiple occasions. They enjoyed working out at the Houstonian where Fred became a legend as one of the longest tenured members - member #12. Even at the age of 96 he was doing 20 minutes on the treadmill almost every day at the Houstonian.

Fred is survived by his sisters Leni Paul, and Marianne Vezzani and husband Piero, daughters Lisa Haemisegger Allis and her husband Marcel Hogervorst and Wynne Haemisegger Deckard and her husband Ron Deckard. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Joey Reid, Taylor Reid and his wife Krissi, Leslie Reid, and David Reid. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Dillon Deckard and his wife Shayla, Dalton Deckard, Alex and her husband Mike Willis, Danielle Roberts and her husband Buel Roberts, Ana Haley, Harrison Reid, Max Reid, Jackson Wilson, Rain Roberts, Vivi and Josie Willis, and his goddaughter Viviana Vezzani and her husband Karl.

Fred is preceded in death by his loving wife Bobby Ray Haemisegger, his parents John and Maria Haemisegger, his sister Margrit Raffel, sister-in-law Colletta McMillian and husband Don, and brother-in-law Taylor Ray and his stepdaughter Lisa Westbrook.

The family wishes to thank Karla Eldridge, Mary Wilson, Hilda West, Sandra Bolden and Tammie Roberts for their care and dedication to Fred. They developed true friendships with him and his family. The family wants to thank Mike Eldridge for his friendship and companionship. The family also wants to thank Teresa Millan, Mina Arismendy and Primo for their many years of service and friendship.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Fred during a reception to be held from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Wednesday the 19th of August, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 22nd of August, in the chapel of First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street in Houston, where Rev. Jon Crantz and Rev. Jeanmarie Tade will officiate. Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Living Room at First Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Memorial Park Conservancy, 7575 N Picnic Lane, Houston, TX 77007 (https://give.memorialparkconservancy.org/tributeflowers) or Higher Ground, serving people with disabilities, veterans and first responders through alpine sports, located in Sun Valley, ID (highergroundusa.org).

Please visit Fred's online memorial tribute at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/texas/houston/geo-h-lewis-sons-funeral-directors/2220