Fred Cress

Cress, Fred W. age 76, of Richfield, passed away 03/27/08. Preceded in death by parents, Agnes and Francis Sr.; brother, John "Jack". Survived by nieces and nephews, Judy Maguire, Kitty Luehrs, Jim Cress, Dan Cress, Colleen Lea, Wendy Mosiman and Terri Nida; sister-in-law, Joan Johnson; other relatives and many, many friends. Fred was born in Minneapolis on August 3, 1931. Fred attended elementary school at Resurrection Catholic School (now Our Lady of Peace). After that he attended Ramsey Junior High School, Minneapolis, where he was a featured actor in school drama productions. He especially enjoyed The Arts and typing, shorthand and business classes. He also worked weekends as an usher at the Radio City Theatre, Minneapolis. Fred loved old movies. Two of his favorites were the classic "Grand Hotel" and "Dinner for Eight." Fred graduated from Washburn High School in the Class of 1949. He was allowed to leave school early some days to work at Donaldson's Department Store in the Toy Department, specializing in the sale of Lionel and American Flyer Electric Trains. Thus was created an early interest in trains and railroading. It also established a work ethic, which Fred was known for. His favorite subjects at Washburn were in the business and office procedures areas. Following graduation from Washburn, it was Fred's goal to attend college, but the untimely illness and death of his father caused a revision, as Fred found it necessary to get into the work force quickly so as to assist his widowed mother with the expenses of the family home at 4910-12th Avenue South. Hence, Fred enrolled in a business administration course at the Minneapolis College of Business. He continued his work at Donaldson's. He also took home correspondence courses with LaSalle Institute of Chicago. He perfected his stenographic skills, he could type accurately at a high rate of speed and was proud of his ability to take Gregg shorthand at 120 words per minute. In those days it was rare for men to possess stenographic skills and in Fred's case it led to instant employment in the railroad industry. Fred's first railroad employment was with the Milwaukee Road (now Canadian Pacific) as an assistant to the chief clerk in the Milwaukee Road Depot at the corner of Washington and 3rd Avenues in about 1951. In 1953 he was offered a position as office manager in the local offices of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad in Minneapolis. There was never a more dedicated employee than Fred. He was well known in the railroad industry and enjoyed many friendships. He was active in professional railroad societies. He seldom took a sick day in his 30-year's tenure. Some years he would take vacations in Colorado in order to learn more about his company and ride the trains. During his years at Rio Grande Railroad, Fred worked nights. He especially liked evening and weekend employment at The Dayton Company in the Electronics Department. (Fred was always an electronics enthusiast, perhaps a trait inherited from his father who built and marketed an early tube radio "The Cressentine Radio Company." Unfortunately, the company went defunct during The Great Depression.) In the 1950s Fred was an active member and officer of The Minnesota Railfans Association. He organized excursion trips to many destinations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Many of the trips were powered by steam locomotives. There were always open-air flatcars where the fans could ride "outdoors" and enjoy the scenery. Many of the tracks used have been abandoned and some are now recreational trails. After retirement from the railroad in 1995, Fred continued his work ethic, seeking and obtaining work temps at Control Data and other similar companies. When the Mall of America opened, Fred worked at Calendar Club and Alpaca Connection. Fred continued an active life up until his final days. He especially enjoyed coffees at Caribou, walking around Lake Harriet, where even into his 70s he walked 400 miles a year, and attending the musical programs at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. He was a world traveler, having made trips to many foreign lands as well as U.S. historical sites such as Washington, DC. A favorite destination was The North Shore of Lake Superior and Grand Marais. Fred's life touched many. He was an inspirational and charismatic individual. He was an "outside of the box thinker" when that phrase did not even exist. Few, if any, of the many who encountered Fred Cress will ever forget him. Private interment. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to Lake Harriet Summer Concert Series. Funeral service Monday, 8 PM, with visitation starting 5 PM at: Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 W. 50th St. & Hwy. 100

Tributes

Fred Cress

March 30, 2008

Tributes

Fred Cress

March 30, 2008

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