Fuchs, Frederick Albano

On March 30, 2017, Fred A. Fuchs, 78, passed peacefully in Meridian, Idaho.

Fred was born on March 22, 1939, in Hobbs, New Mexico, to Herman F. and D.

Cleo (Heidel) Fuchs; both preceded him in death. Fred graduated from Highland High School in 1958 and from Arizona State College, Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1962, with a B.S. degree in Forestry. Fred served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve from 1962 to 1968. Fred began his firefighting career as a wildland firefighter in 1957, continuing as forester, firefighter, and pilot for NM State Forestry and U.S. Forest Service as forester, pilot, aviation manager, and program manager.

Fred is survived by his devoted wife, Dorothy and stepson, Jeremy Putman (Meg), grandchildren Connor, Katie, and Kara Putman; by daughter, Danielle Nicar (Terry), grandsons Trey and Ty, and son, Fred Fuchs, Jr. (Beth). He is also survived by his sister, Frances Knight (Jerry) and nieces, Geri (Knight) Spencer (Rick) and Teri (Knight) Peck (Chris) and their families.

Fred was a member of the Quiet Birdmen, Albuquerque, NM, hangar; Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 530, Mid Valley, NM; and several aviation and firefighting organizations. Throughout his life, good times as well as adversity, Fred lived with quiet dignity and grace. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends and by those whose lives he touched.

A heartfelt thank you to our extended family and friends for their loving care and assistance. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Fred’s memory to a charity of your choice, or Mid Valley EAA Chapter 530, c/o Bob Henning, 3884 Tammy Court, Los Lunas, NM 87031; or National Smokejumper Association, NSA c/o Chuck Sheley, 10 Judy Lane, Chico, CA 95926.