Mr. Fred Holmberg (CAS ’52, STH ’56)

The following obituary was originally published by Bibber Memorial Chapel and can be found here.

A true Renaissance man, who painted portraits of the many chapters of his life through the written word.

Fred Benton Holmberg, 93, of Wells, Maine, passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by the love of his life of 34 years, Jonathan, three of his four children, Eric, Karen, and Kristen (Bobby was there in spirit) and Jonathan’s sister, Amy.

Fred was born June 4, 1931, in Gloucester, Massachusetts to Fred Holmberg and Dorothy Bates Holmberg. His grandfather, John Lewis Bates, was the 41st Governor of Massachusetts (1903-1905). He grew up in Boston and Medway with his brother John and sisters Beth and Lee. The family grew up surrounded by music with his father at the violin, his mother at the piano, and neighbors and all the children joining in. Though Fred loved playing the piano, which he continued throughout his life, he was not remiss in telling people he could not read music. But, when he heard a piece, he could replicate it. Singing was constantly in the air, as well.

He spent 10 years at Boston University achieving degrees in Theology, Political Science and Counseling. While at BU he was part of the Seminary Singers and traveled to Europe with the Glee Club. During those years, he worked at the polio unit at Children’s Medical Center. It was a moving and rewarding experience that stayed with him throughout his life. While there he met his first wife Carol, mother of his children.

Moving to Kennebunk in 1957, as the minister of Christ Church, Fred and Carol became deeply involved with the community. Fred always boasted that he married over 800 people and buried over 800 people.

During the following years he worked as a realtor and created numerous stores. He started the Copper Candle in Kennebunkport with his friend, Thom, which still stands today.

He traveled the world, always taking one of his children to expose them to new experiences. Kristen spent her 11th birthday riding an elephant and visiting the Taj Mahal. Karen went to Paris, and he took Eric skiing in the Alps. With his second wife, Diane, he lived in Ireland and India for extended times.

Fred’s true passion though was writing. Through the years, he published 3 books of poetry (Journey, Touching and Inner Street). When he took his family on a two-month cross country trip to Alaska, he and friend Al chronicled their journey for a local paper. He had numerous articles and poems published throughout the world. In 1989, he co-wrote “Have You Forgotten” with Christine Zamoyska-Panek, a memoir of her life in Poland from 1939-1945. He wrote the story for “Little Blue” with friend and animator/illustrator, Bob Svihovec. His latest work, published in April when was 93, is “The American Bald Eagle and Me.” It is a collaboration with his daughter Kristen, who took all the photographs.

Fred met Jonathan walking on the Marginal Way in 1990 and a new chapter of their lives began. Fred always said he was the luckiest man in the world and that he was always in the right place at the right time. At 7, in Gloucester, he and his brother had a personal tour by actor Sterling Hayden of his racing schooner, the Gertrude L. Thebaud. While at Boston University he was classmates with Martin Luther King, Jr. (joining him in many marches) and had the privilege of escorting Eleanor Roosevelt around the campus for a weekend. In New Delhi, he read his poetry for then ambassador Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and worked with editor Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis on “Have You Forgotten.”

Though he traveled the world and met amazing people, he was most proud of his time in the Kennebunk community and his Sunday youth groups, where he and others mentored, counseled and introduced them to what the big world had to offer. This included driving a school bus of the group down to Panama.

We will ever be grateful to Fred’s nurse, Josh, of Beacon Hospice. He provided Fred and those with him the most amazing amount of understanding, patience, compassion, guidance, knowledge and dignity.

You were a wonderful partner, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. You will continue in our hearts and lives as a never-ending story.

Fred told everyone that he wanted to live to 106 because in ancient tradition you did not need to come back again. How lucky the world is that he will return in some form, likely as a bumble bee, to provide those around him comfort, wisdom and joy.

Fred will be remembered for his generous and optimistic spirit. He would always offer an ear to friend or stranger and listen sincerely without judgement.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marginal Way Preservation Fund, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Doctors Without Borders, or a charity of your choice that represents Fred’s spirit.

There will be no formal funeral service. His ashes will be scattered in the ocean near where he lived throughout the years. A celebration of his amazing life will take place in the future.

Fred touched hundreds of people’s lives over his 93 years. If you have a special memory, please post it to the Memory Wall at www.bibberfuneral.com

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Rd., Wells, ME 04090.