FRED (FREDERIK) SCHUTTE passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.  He was 75 years young.  The family is deeply saddened by the loss but is consoled that Fred was at home, as was his fervent wish. 

Fred is survived and deeply missed by his wife Gayle, his daughter Anne, son-in-law Ivica and sister Jannie in the Netherlands. 

His memory lives on with his nieces and nephews: Dot (Dorothy), Jim, Fred and Dave in Lethbridge, Wim (William), Peter, At (Arthur) and Thea in the Netherlands, and his great-nephew, Devon in Lethbridge. 

Fred was predeceased by his father Frederik (interred in the Lethbridge Military Field of Honour), his mother Anna and his sisters Rickie (Frederika) and Annie. 

Fred was born February 19, 1947 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where, as a young man, his natural intelligence allowed him to easily master the variety of occupations at which he tried his hand.  Besides his ease with anything practical, for many years he was the goalie for a semi-professional soccer team in Amsterdam. His love for the 'beautiful game' remained with him for life. 

On December 24, 1969, he married Canadian girl, Gayle Moncrieff, who became his loving and ever-patient wife of 53 years.  After living in the Netherlands for 13 years, Fred, Gayle and Anne immigrated to Canada and settled in Lethbridge, Alberta. 

Eventually, Fred turned his many talents to Neudorf Plumbing, where he worked for 17 years until his retirement at age 65.  Fred was ever-grateful for the lasting friendships he developed with Rick and Carolee Neudorf and with his colleagues over the years. 

For all those who worked with Fred, will know of his deeply ingrained need to bring quality workmanship to the job.  He was a true Craftsman who believed that if it wasn't done well, it was not worth doing; an ethic he was proud to pass on to the numerous younger colleagues he mentored. 

Fred loved Canada's natural beauty, which he took every available opportunity to enjoy.  There wasn't a creature of nature Fred didn't like, from chatting down a large brown bear who popped by the camp-site to share Fred's breakfast, to coaxing forest critters to sit on his lap and eat from his hand. 

For those privileged to count Fred as a friend, knew they had a friend on whom they could always count.  One was rarely in doubt of what Fred thought as he was ever willing to share his opinions.  Fred's foremost quality, for which he was both loved and respected, was that his word was his bond.  Fred's father instilled it in him and, in turn, Fred sought to pay forward that same ethic to those who loved him and worked with him. 

There are no words that can express how grateful we are to our family, friends and neighbours who were there on and after the night of Fred's passing.  Also, a heartfelt thank you to the Lethbridge EMT's for their caring assistance well above their call of duty. 

A private family service will take place later this year.