Obituary of Fred Stechele

Fred "Fritz" Stechele, at the age 100, peacefully passed away on September 22, 2023, at his home in State College, PA. He was the devoted husband of the late Roesli Stechele, and loving father of Irma Caso of State College, Heidi Zimbler and late husband Harry Zimbler of Pine Grove Mills, Walter Stechele and wife Martha of Yorktown, VA, and the late Sylvia Stechele. Fred was the grandfather (Opa) of Peter Caso and his wife Tamara, Jessica Riescher and her husband Steve, Gina Ritchey and her husband Dan, Dustin Caso and his wife Brittany, Zachary Zimbler and his wife Ashley, Jason Stechele, Warren Stechele and his partner Georgette and Russell Stechele and his wife Jeannette. He was great-grandfather to Zoey and Kira Riescher, Amanda and Alexis Stechele, Kaylee and Jared Rambo, Alex Ritchey and Cainen Caso.

Born in Raisting, Germany, he immigrated to The USA in 1954. In Brooklyn, NY he found work in his trained profession, a Master Mason. A year later he was able to bring his wife and children to Brooklyn. In 1964 they moved to Long Island and he started his own company as a brick and stone mason. In 1987 he retired to State College, PA to be closer to some of his children.

Fred loved gardening, tending to his flowers, vegetables and berries. In his later years his daughter Irma moved in with him to help with the house and garden. He spent time in the winter months making jams from the berries picked that summer. His passion from the time he got his first black and white TV until he passed away was watching wrestling and sports. He was a man of many talents who could repair and build just about anything. His only bucket wish was to take a 15-day Viking River Voyage, the Grand European Tour, and four years ago his grandson, Zach, made his wish come true and took him on that voyage. Until almost the end he was still riding his stationary bike and lifting hand weights every single day. Whenever someone asked about his longevity, he would tell them "just keep moving!" He will be missed by all that knew and loved him.

A memorial gathering will be held at a future date for family and friends.

Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.