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Fred Albert Soeder

March 6, 1932 April 19, 2015
Fred Albert Soeder
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Obituary for Fred Albert Soeder
Fred Albert Soeder of Pearl River, NY died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, April 19, 2015 after a long illness. He was 83 years old.

Mr. Soeder, a first generation American, was born on March 6, 1932 in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, NY. His mother, Rose (Koenig) Soeder was from Wurzburg, Germany and his father, Frederick Soeder was from Mannheim Germany. Both immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York City on May 5, 1926, to seek better economic and political opportunities in America. Although an only child, Mr. Soeder grew up under the guidance and love of his younger cousin and childhood friend, Doris (Knuppertz) McGuigan. Like many other recent immigrants to America, they were both greatly influenced by the excitement, turbulence and challenges presented by the depression and by the impact of the war during the influential mid-20th century.

Mr. Soeder graduated from Brooklyn Preparatory High School in 1949, where he was a member of the track team, specializing in middle distance running events. He then attended Fordham University, Bronx, NY, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management, the first in his family to do so. Shortly after college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed for two years at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. As an enlisted soldier, he worked on security issues for army bases throughout the United States and Europe.

On New Year’s Eve of 1950, Mr. Soeder met his soul-mate and life-long best friend, Margaret Schecker, also of Brooklyn. That meeting was the spark that fueled a lifetime of love shared among an ever-expanding circle of family and friends. The couple was married in Brooklyn on October 2, 1954 during an extended weekend leave from the Army. As their honeymoon, the couple traveled back to Texas in a 1949 Plymouth, on an adventurous journey via the limited highway system of the time. After the marriage, Mr. Soeder was immediately taken in by his lively and compassionate Irish/German in-laws, becoming a valued, trusted and beloved family member to Margaret’s mother and father, Mary and Thomas Schecker, her oldest sister Bernadette and her husband Walter Frisbie, her sister Alice and her husband Harry Johnson, and her younger brother Thomas and his wife Charlyne Schecker.

After the service, Mr. Soeder started his professional career with Westinghouse, working as a Marketing Representative in South Carolina. Soon afterwards, the couple returned to New York, and Mr. Soeder began a long and prosperous career as a Sales and Marketing Representative in the pharmaceutical and medical industries, working for companies such Meade Johnson, Medical Economics (Physician Desk Reference) and Dental Economics. His love of life and of people made him a natural salesman. It also made him a beloved husband, father, son, friend, and grandfather, and everyone who knew Fred couldn’t help but smile when he smiled or laugh when he laughed; his joy for life was contagious and the love he engendered was perhaps his greatest success.

Mr. Soeder cultivated a lifelong passion for gardening, especially with hybrid tea roses, a hobby that he acquired from his father, a professional florist. He also greatly enjoyed the New York Football Giants, through thick and thin, and was rewarded with their recent Super Bowl successes. He also held treasured memories of his beloved Tanta Dora, and baseball games at Ebbets Field with his father and Uncle Albert, watching the Brooklyn Dodgers play, especially when the opponents were the hated Yankees or Giants. His greatest regret in life is that he missed seeing the Dodgers defeat the Yankees in person during the 1955 World Series, having to listen to the game on the radio while stationed in Texas during his military service. Mr. Soeder was a long-time parishioner of Saint Aedan’s Church in Pearl River, NY.

Fred is survived by his loving and grateful children, Kenneth Soeder and his partner Anne Esposito of Haddam, CT, Richard Soeder and his wife Connie of Nyack, NY and his daughter Elaine Moore and her husband Terrance of Goshen, NY. He is also mourned and remembered respectfully by his beloved grandchildren, Terrance Moore, Jr and Kaitlin Moore, both of New York City, Kristen Soeder and Eric Soeder, both of Nyack, NY, and a daughter-in-law, Lisa Pavelock Soeder of Nantucket, MA. He was also greatly admired and loved by numerous nieces and nephews. He lives on in the hearts of all who survive him.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint Aedan’s Church in Pearl River, NY on Friday, May 1, 2015 beginning at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Soeder’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 7th Floor, 322 Eight Avenue, New York, NY 10001. Our family would also like to extend a very special “Thank You” to all the staff at Highland Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Middletown, NY for their excellent care and compassion.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint Aedan’s Church in Pearl River, NY on Friday, May 1, 2015 beginning at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Soeder’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 7th Floor, 322 Eight Avenue, New York, NY 10001. Our family would also like to extend a very special “Thank You” to all the staff at Highland Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Middletown, NY for their excellent care and compassion.
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