Obituary: Fred "Fritz" Hinkel - Class of 1945

MADISON - Fred "Fritz" Hinkel, age 80, a lifelong Madison resident, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007, at HospiceCare, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 26, 1927, the son of Karl and Louise (Doktor) Hinkel. Fritz graduated from Central High School in 1945. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Fritz was united in marriage to Margaret Schindler on Aug. 28, 1948. They raised their family in a Norman Rockwell setting. He was involved in his children's lives, becoming a scout leader, a baseball coach and helping with school projects. Fritz liked bowling and was known as "the Machine". Fritz spent his career as a salesman in the auto parts industry. As a navy veteran he frequently visited Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post No. 7591, which was also his favorite watering hole. Fritz was an avid outdoorsman often donning orange during the hunting season but was more familiar with the shores of Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, where he was frequently seen hauling in more fish than any of the others. He enjoyed gardening, growing vegetables and flowers. Fritz referred to his garden as "Olbrich Gardens II.". He was the life of the party, who enjoyed hearing or telling a good joke and was a self-proclaimed "dirty old man". For relaxation, Fritz enjoyed completing daily crossword puzzles, listening to opera and classical music, and watching the Packers, punctuating each touchdown with a "yaba-daba-doo". Fritz is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Margaret of Madison; five children, Diane (Ken) Kleinheinz of Monona, Jim (Linda) Hinkel of Austin, Texas, Dave (Terry) Hinkel of Poynette, Richard (Jean) Hinkel of Madison and Fred (Karyn) Hinkel of Watertown; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Vernon (Jeanette) Hinkel of Gatlinburg, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Werner. A Memorial Service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding and military rites conducted. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to VFW Post No. 7591. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff of William S. Middleton VA Hospital who cared for Fred through several illnesses over the years, especially the S.I.C.U. and Palliative care unit with his latest illness and to HospiceCare, Inc. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 19, 2007