Lake Geneva, Wisconsin - Frederick J. Doolittle, 84, received his wings Monday, August 17th at Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care with family at his side.
Fred was born October 28, 1930 to James L. Doolittle and Martha Doolittle (nee Gertsch) in Port Huron, Michigan. His birth announcement of "Come on over and lets get acquainted" set a life long theme for his love of meeting new people, traveling to new places, and participating in and enjoying the efforts of grand productions.
The family moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he graduated with the 1948 class of Roosevelt High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1950. He became active in the Des Moines Community Playhouse group as both a set builder and actor, participating in many theater productions such as the 1958 Finneans Rainbow and 1960 Kiss Me Kate. His employment as an Industrial Engineer brought him to Delavan's StaRite for work and the village of Williams Bay for a new home for his family. As a contractor, he became involved with local real estate, home improvement and building his own home of over thirty years. He volunteered his time for many local organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Lake Geneva Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, and Mt. Zion Christian Church. His life long love of all things circus came to a peak with his being selected as Co-Grand Marshall of the 1986 Circus Parade in Milwaukee. Winter hosted another one of his many favorite activities in the form of ice boating with it's technical challenges, speed, and above all, it's great warmth of camaraderie with the many life long friends that he made through the sport.
He is survived by five children from his first wife of 19 years, the late Dorothy Doolittle Seuser (nee Korstad); David (Marilyn) Doolittle (Lewisville, NC), Diane Wojcik (Delavan), Michael (Dreama) Doolittle (Indianapolis, IN), Steven (Lisa) Doolittle (Bloomington, MN), and Lynda Fischer (Montello, WI). His youngest child Edward Doolittle preceded him in death in 2009. Fred is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by 15 grandchildren; Lisa, Christie, Shawn, Eric, Kelcie, Michelle, Tom, Alex, Gretchen, Jonathan, Kameron, Kasie, Shane, Emilee and Andrew, and three great-grandchildren; Jason, Aubree, Leo, and also by cousins in Iowa, and the many many good friends from Lake Geneva and Williams Bay.
His wife of 20 years, Nora Tifft Doolittle preceded him in death in May of 2006. They are survived by Nora's children; Jim Tifft (Rhinelander,WI), Michael Tifft (Delavan), and Nora's two grand-children, Daniel and Sarah.
A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, August 22nd at 11:00AM, at Mt. Zion Christian Church, 2330 State Rd 120, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, (262) 248-7097. A Committal service for immediate family will take place at a later time in the Memorial Garden of the Delavan United Church of Christ Congregational.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Alzheimer's Associations, Lake Geneva Lion's Club, Agrace Hospice, other charities of your choice in his honor.
