Frederick Roy Brenner, 77, Air Force vet, Rutt Custom Kitchens worker, avid world traveler

Frederick (Fred/Rick) Roy Brenner, 77, of Ephrata, departed this life on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital.

Fred was born in Millersville to the late Addison Roy and Elizabeth (Meyers) Brenner, and was the husband of Claire Louise (Martinen) Brenner, with whom he shared 55 years of devoted marriage.

A member of Reformed Presbyterian Church, Ephrata, Fred served on the board of deacons for many years and was eventually named Deacon Emeritus. He previously served on the church council at Bergstrasse Lutheran Church, and gladly volunteered with Lancaster County Project for the Needy on many an early morning Christmas Eve.

Fred and Claire enjoyed traveling, taking several trips to Hawaii, a mission trip to London, and many cruises, including a three-week tour of the Mediterranean Sea. Whatever exotic locales they visited, Fred and Claire always found time to go to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to see Claire’s family, every year for more than 50 years. These road trips always included a stay at “camp” on beautiful Bass Lake, where the days were filled with saunas, swimming, fishing, water skiing, berry picking, pasties, and evening beers by the lakeside camp fire. Never ones to resist a challenge, Fred and Claire once took their teenagers on a fondly-remembered, five-week camping trip across the United States (once was enough).

Fred was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving at K.I. Sawyer AFB in Marquette, Mich., where he first met and shared a dance with his beloved Claire. After a short courtship, the couple married and moved back to Lancaster County, where they raised four children, a pony, goats, and several dogs and cats over the years.

Fred began his 37-year career with Rutt Custom Kitchens in Goodville as a rough lumber foreman, and after retirement, he worked part time for Country Home Furniture. He never did like to sit idle. Fred always loved being outdoors, hunting, woodworking, and patiently teaching any willing soul how to water-ski. He surprised even his family by taking a turn around the lake on water skis for his 70th birthday. Most recently, he and Claire played recreational pool volleyball with the Parkinson’s Support Group league at Landis Homes, where he became known for his unfailing weekly attendance and competitive spirit (he’s still thinking about those shots he missed).

In addition to his wife and their winsome dog, Gonzo, he is survived by his four children: Steven E., husband of Shelly (Short) Brenner of Blackwell, Mo.; Danita, wife of Irvin Martin of Manheim; Amy, wife of R. Jeffrey Auker of Lititz; and Tanya Worley of Ephrata; seven grandchildren: Jessamy, wife of Joshua May; Erica Auker; Nathan, husband of Veronica Auker; Rachel Brenner; Mitchell Brenner; Annie, wife of Peter Michael; and Connor Worley; four great-grandchildren,:Damien and Lydia Treloar, Lucien May, and Dalaney Auker; a brother: Gerald Brenner of Ringoes, N.J.; and a sister: Patsy Skinner of Raleigh, N.C.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister: Sylvia Yard.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m., in the West Bethany Chapel at Landis Homes, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, with Pastor Tom Nicholas officiating. A time of visitation will follow the service. Interment will take place at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at a later date. Military honors will be accorded by the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard.

If desired, memorial contributions in Frederick’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or at parkinson.org. For Lancaster Parkinson’s Support Group information, contact Ruth Johnson at 717-509-5494.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata. Online condolences can be given at stradlingfuneralhome.com.