Msgt Usaf

Fred was born in Chicago, Illinois and the family moved to South Haven, Michigan during the Depression and World War II where he attended Deerlick School. He and other students became known as "The Whiz Kids" for outstanding accomplishments toward the war effort. They were the only school in the nation awarded the "E Pennant" by the U.S. War Production Board, usually awarded to commercial production facilities. Returning to Chicago he attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Lakeview High and Lane Tech where he was a Sgt. in the ROTC and an excellent marksman.

In 1949 Fred enlisted in the USNAR at the Glenview NAS, flying with the PBY Catalina Boat. In 1953 he enlisted with the USAF and spent a four year tour at Yokota AFB, Japan. It was there that he met and married his beloved, devoted wife Yoshimi Takemizu. In 1959 he was assigned to Warren AFB, Wyoming as an Unconventional Fuels Specialist. He was one of the initial personnel to assist in the establishment of the first operational Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Base and was awarded the Missileman Badge.

Fred served six years in the Far East during the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts receiving numerous decorations and awards including Outstanding Unit With Valor, National Defense Service, Korean Service, Vietnam Service, Small Arms Marksmanship, United Nations Service and Republic Of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He retired from Dyess AFB after 26 years of military service.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Yoshimi; parents, Fred W. and Margaret Bednar; and sister, Anna Schuster.

He is survived by his sister, Madeline Eglit and husband Hans of Hot Springs, Ark.; son, Fred S. Bednar of Abilene; daughter, Arlena Thane and husband Rick of Tuscola; daughter, Maryann Bednar of Abilene; granddaughters, Cara Holt and Jennifer Hughes of Abilene; and two great-grandsons, Devyn Holt and Gregory Hughes III of Abilene.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
5:00-7:00 PM

Service

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Thursday, August 27, 2015
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606