Obituary

Fred E. Schaltegger, a devoted father and proud pop, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, January 5, 2025. He passed peacefully at home in Johns Creek, Georgia, surrounded by his children and loved ones and is now in the presence of his Savior. He was eighty-two.

On January 28, 1942, Fred was born in New Milford, Connecticut to Herbert and Hilda Krebser Schaltegger, who had immigrated to the U.S. from Switzerland just one year prior on a work assignment with Nestlé. Naturally, Fred inherited a sweet tooth. He was raised alongside brothers, Herbie and Rich, and little sister, Heidi, and grew up a sports fanatic. When he wasn’t on the field (or court, or track) himself—where he ran and played baseball, basketball, and lacrosse—Fred was tuned into his favorite New York sports broadcasts. He cheered for his Giants, Knicks, and Rangers with as much spirit at age eight as he did at 82.

Fred graduated from New Milford High School in 1960 and went on to pursue a degree from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. He majored in History, which remained a lifelong passion and pursuit, and became a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. It was there, in the fraternity house, where he first laid eyes on his late wife Louise Dickson Schaltegger—much to the (initial) chagrin of her protective older brother, Kim, a friend and classmate of Fred’s.

He graduated in 1964 and married his college sweetheart on November 30 of that same year. And while he went on to achieve much success in his professional career, Fred once described his life’s greatest ambition – to bring Louise happiness. They were a beautiful complement to one another and together grew a close-knit family, including their children, Wendy and Rick, as well as their grandchildren, all of whom are a testament to their shared devotion and values.

Fred began his career with Sears Roebuck Co. and quickly climbed the corporate ladder. He relocated with Sears to MA, PA, IL, KY, and then back to IL in 1974, where he settled and raised his children in Naperville. Fred took an early retirement from the company in 1992. However, it was a short-lived hiatus. He was offered an executive director position with Federated Systems Group in 1993 and moved to Atlanta for the role, where he resided for 32 more years. He found his great affinity for an afternoon nap in the recliner later, when he retired as a vice president of Store Systems in 2007.

Louise went to be with the Lord in 1997. Through colleagues, Fred met and later married his second wife, Mary Jane Jablonski in 2000. She passed away in 2006 after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Fred held many titles throughout his life, both professional and personal. He could be described as a history buff, birdwatcher, problem-solver, storyteller, and military antiques collector. His favorite roles, however, were as a father, grandfather, great grandfather and – foremost— a follower of Jesus. He was a faithful family man and friend to many—neighbors, colleagues, fraternity buddies and church members, both at Naperville Bible Church in Illinois and Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, GA where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher.

Fred lived a fruitful, wonderful life of faith, good humor, hard work, kindness, and generosity. His enduring legacy will undoubtedly be his steadfast trust in Christ and his desire for everyone he loved to know God’s saving grace.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Hilda, his sister, Heidi Lowrance and sisters-in-law, Peggy Schaltegger, Judy Ubry and Ellen Bennitt. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter: Rick and Maureen (Kehoe), Dan, and Meg Schaltegger; Wendy and Steve, Zack, Mitch, Jordan (Green), Trent, Kayley (Kuhn) and Everley, and Chloe Holtz.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Perimeter Church, Azania International (azaniaccc.org), or Tunnel2Towers (t2t.org).