Frederic Sengstake “Fred” Young, cherished husband of June since 1952, went to his eternal home November 1, 2017. Born Oct. 5, 1927 in Portland, he was the son of F. Harold and Lila S. Young, and through his father’s antecedents, was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He graduated from Washington High School in 1944, and after service with the U.S. Navy, he earned his degree from the University of Oregon in 1950 where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Fred was employed in the advertising department of The Oregonian for 16 years where he met his future wife. He then embarked on a career in commercial real estate, joining Norris & Stevens in 1966 as their first salesman, functioning as president in 1987 until he “semi-retired” two years later to form his own company. As a member of the real estate industry, he was affiliated with the Portland Board of Realtors where he served as president in 1988, and with the Commercial Association of Realtors of Portland and Vancouver which presented to him the Humanitarian Award in 1998. Volunteerism was an important component of his life, first evident in his membership with the Junior Chamber of Commerce of Portland in the 1950s. One of his joyous seasonal tasks was judging the Jaycee-sponsored Christmas lighting contest of private homes. Fred’s community service took a notable turn when he became involved in the mission of The Salvation Army, taking an active part in the acquisition of property for their gym in inner Northeast Portland and raising funds to sponsor basketball teams.
He served on the “Army’s” Portland Metro Advisory Board for countless years, honored to be their chairman in 1989, and was named Volunteer of the Year in 1998. His other associations have been with Portland Rotary, University Club, Quarterly Club, and First Presbyterian Church. He was a “true green” fan of the Oregon Ducks and maintained his season tickets in Autzen Stadium until he was no longer able to endure the trip to Eugene.
While a member of Lake Grove Presbyterian Church he was ordained a Deacon and Elder, and shared fellowship with the North Star Mariners, a group which held monthly gatherings until recently. One year during the pre-Christmas season, Fred persuaded the group to ring bells for The Salvation Army.
As a devoted Dad, he created happy memories for his family, leading them on camping and back-packing trips in the summer and ski trips in the winter. With son Dan’s Boy Scout troop, he hiked a 50 mile route through the Wallowa Mountains. At home, he could be found in the garden, pruning a rose bush or giving special attention to his geraniums.
Fred loved jazz, first unveiling his knowledge of the art when he wrote a music column for his college newspaper. With his family and friends he attended for several decades the annual summer Jazz Festival in Port Townsend, Wash.
Ever the loyal Sigma Chi, he was instrumental in forming Oresig Factors, an investment group which established an annual tradition of inviting Sigma Chis of the 1950s and 1960s graduating classes to “Christmas lunch” at The Old Spaghetti Factory. He led several friends into small real estate ventures and with his unique sense of humor, drolly initiated into being the Reedville Steam Co., Blue Baboon Partners, and Pilkington Land & Cattle Co.
Fred is survived by his wife; daughters, Julie Bruner (Galen) of Bothell, Washington and Jennifer Young of Portland; son, F. Daniel Young of Portland; grandchildren, Christina Hyatt (Jamison), Matthew Bruner, Cecelia Young, Frederic N. “Freddy” Young, and Marylouisa “Lucy” Young; great-grandchildren, Carter and Audrey Hyatt.
A private memorial service will be held. Remembrances may be made to The Salvation Army, First Presbyterian Church of Portland, or Providence Hospice.