Frederick Bruce Shields, III

Frederick Bruce Shields, III, 95, passed away on December 21, 2025 after complications from Alzheimers/dementia. Fred was the first born to Fred Jr and Gladys (Fackert) Shields on March 17, 1930 in Kansas City, MO. He was a proud big brother to Janet and Bud, where they grew up in the Marlborough neighborhood in south Kansas City. Fred grew up attending Paseo Presbyterian Church and Paseo High School where he was a member of the riflery team and played trombone in the pep band. He wasn’t an athlete, but chose to follow his dad in Boy Scouts, Troop 144 where he earned his Eagle Scout and was a proud member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

Upon graduation Fred attended Kansas State University where he was a Sigma Chi and had many long lasting friendships with his fraternity brothers. Fred needed a date to a Halloween party and so his sister Janet, a fellow Kappa sister, introduced him to Mary Margaret Scholler. They were married on February 4, 1956 after her graduation.

Fred never realized his possible college degree in Industrial Arts education and instead enlisted in the Army where he was stationed in Ft Leonard Wood, MO, Ft Belvoir, VA and Granite City, IL. Overly flat feet kept him from active duty in the Korean Conflict, but the military experience would leave a lasting impression with him for the rest of his life.

Fred and Marty began their life in a newly built house in the early years of Overland Park, KS (92nd and Lowell) where Fred began a life long career in sales starting with International Harvester Trucks. In March of 1965 he accepted a position with Rockwell Standard (becoming Rockwell International, eventually Rockwell Collins), where he remained for the rest of his sales career. When people asked what he did for a living he would say “I’m in the rear end business” – since he was selling truck axle and brake systems to Peterbilt, Freightliner, and Mack truck dealerships. For the next 26 years, he would travel every week in his company provided Ford station wagon to see his devoted customers in the Midwest region. He often said, “Nothing happens until somebody sells something”.

A week after he accepted the Rockwell position, his daughter Sarah was born. His son David was born two years later and the new family moved to their next Overland Park home on Farley Lane (another newly built home)

Fred was a true hobbyist starting with a life long love of model trains. The basement was filled with his HO gauge model railroad complete with every kind of scenery that he created by hand, train depot, buildings and roundhouse. He discovered the KC Live Steamers and immediately began building two different engines, milling the pieces by hand. He loved to drive the coal fired locomotives, hauling passengers at the Ag Hall of Fame and then Wyandotte County Park. Fred was a master woodworker, with a workshop of tools any industrial arts teacher would envy! His home was lovingly filled with furniture pieces, the wood exquisitely planed, joined, sanded, stained and finished – he was a perfectionist! He was also an avid catfish fisherman and tried his hand at sailing a small sailboat at SM Park lake.

When Fred retired from sales he threatened to set fire to his suitcase in the driveway – he couldn’t wait to stay home and start his retirement with Marty at their final custom built home in Whispering Hills! He started growing orchids and constructed a small greenhouse on the side of their Lenexa home; he took an interest in smoking brisket and ribs; and then after donating a number of his father’s artifacts to the newly formed WWI museum he and Marty quickly joined their ranks as Volunteers.

His gruff and self proclaimed curmudgeon personality was offset by a sharp and dry sense of humor – he was deeply devoted to Marty, their two children, Sarah and David, and his grandchildren.

Fred was predeceased by his parents and younger brother, Bud Shields. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary, Olathe, KS, his daughter Sarah Dornbusch, Fairway, KS, son David Shields (Nancy), Leawood, KS, grandchildren, Erin (fiancé Austin Hoegerl), Overland Park, KS, Avery Shields, Overland Park, KS, Ryan Dornbusch, Fairway, KS, Lauren Dornbusch, Cedar Rapids, IA, sister Janet Henley, Mission, KS and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Santa Marta Memory Care and Long Term Care units and his final care and comfort from Good Shepherd Hospice.

Donations to Alzheimer’s Association

Funeral

A visitation will be held on January 2, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, located at 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131.

A memorial service will follow on the same day at the same venue, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The committal will take place at Mount Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home & Mount Moriah Cemetery South, also at 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.