With sad hearts, we announce the death of our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Frederick Clyde Tholcke ’46. He was born in Porterville, Calif., on June 6, 1924, to William Francis Tholcke and Anna T. Heinzen, and entered eternal life on Jan. 22, 2014.
Fred graduated from Porterville High School in 1942 and attended the University of Santa Clara, until he joined the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served as a first lieutenant and was a B24 “Liberator” co-pilot in missions flown over Italy; he was honorably discharged in 1945.
He married Patricia Rose Mego on May 1, 1953. Together, they raised their family in Napa and enjoyed 53 years of marriage. Fred worked as an engineer for Pacific Telephone & Telegraph, one of the “telephone pioneers,” for 39 years before retiring on June 6, 1985. Fred and Pat enjoyed camping with their children at many Northern California sites, including Hat Creek and Eagle Lake. He was a loyal 49ers and Giants fan who loved to take walks in the neighborhood and tend to his yard.
Fred is survived by his four loving children, Dianne (Ron) Weichel of Grass Valley, Calif., Richard (Jeannette) and Gary of Napa, and Stephen (Cheryl) of Sacramento; four grandchildren, Jeremy, LeAnn and Chris (American Canyon), Sarah (Napa), and Nick (currently serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan); and one great-grandchild, William Christopher. Fred is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
His loving wife, Pat, and his siblings, Evelyn (Bill) Acree, George (Grace), and Bill (Mary) all greeted him upon his arrival in heaven.