Frederick Edgar Neitzke

Neitzke, Frederick Edgar, of Bay City, Michigan passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026, age 96. He was born December 7, 1929, son of Edgar and Etta (Piggott) Neitzke. He was a graduate of Bay City Central High School and RETS Electronic School in Detroit. Fred spent time in the Navy as an electronics communication technician aboard submarines during the Korean war era. Fred and Beverly (Eurek) were married in St. Charles at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in 1952. After his Honorable Discharge from the Navy he returned to Bay City opening a television repair business with the slogan “All we sell is service”. As electronic technology advanced, he was the first person north of Flint to be trained to repair “color TVs” and provided service for organs being assigned the northeast quadrant of Michigan. It was common for him to drive many hours north early on a Sunday morning so that a church would not be left without music. He joined the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (club #88) in the early 60’s with a large class of over 200 men and moved through the lodge organization ultimately becoming Exalted Ruler. During time holding club officer positions he was instrumental in planning, raising money and managing the building of a new club facility with a pool next to Bay County golf course, amenities normally exclusive to country club settings. However, he lived up to the benevolent pledge as a businessman and community leader. As well as employing and befriending the less fortunate, he guided many early adult men through trouble with the law, offering them cash jobs at his 3rd St. building and rental properties that came with his street-smart advice. To his fellow Elk he was known as Friendly Fred and Fearless Fred, them never knowing which character would show up at the lodge meeting and social hour afterwards. He was active in the Boy Scouts, Soap Box Derby, Rotary Club, Elk’s golf league, Bay County Gun & Conservation Club & K of C. He was a founding member of the Bay City Yacht Club helping to hand dig their first channel from docks leading to the Saginaw River at the mouth of the bay, becoming an avid Lighting sailboat and iceboat racer. As a teen he was one of the best duck hunters in the county, enjoying field-bird and deer hunting as well. An accomplishment he cherished was a hole-in-one shot, and golfed 9- holes regularly up to the age of 94; he was still hitting balls week of his death. Fred is survived by four children Mina Neitzke and Karil Neitzke-Cannon (John Cannon) of Petoskey, Mark Neitzke (Dr Mary Miles) of Waterford, and Dr. Craig Neitzke (Cindy Sequin) of Annapolis MD. Also, 11 grandchildren, Teresa Eberly, Emily Bond, Garrett Bond, Father Luke Neitzke, Chase Neitzke, Victoria Detzler, Catherine Bennett, Mary Aufiero, Liam Tobin, Annalise Neitzke, Olivia Neitzke, 8 great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Eberly-Rodriguez, William Bond, Blaise Neitzke, Penelope Bond, Judah Neitzke, Magnus Bond, Amalia Aufiero, & Mari Neitzke.

Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at All Saints Parish – St. Boniface Church. Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Luke Neitzke. Private inurnment will take place at a later date at Elm Lawn cemetery. Visitation will take place at the Gephart Funeral Home on Friday, April 17, 2026 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Knights of Columbus Bible Presentation and the Vigil for the Deceased will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Neitzke will be taken to the church on Saturday to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contribution to the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum.