- Date Of Birth: August 10, 1926
- Date Of Death: December 21, 2020
- State: Colorado
Robert G. (Gordon) Fredrickson, 94, died on December 21, 2020. He was the third generation from the Fredrickson family to live in and serve the Cañon City community.
He was born on August 10, 1926 in Cañon City to C. Arthur and Blanche (Becky) Sharp Fredrickson. He had an older brother, Donald. Graduating from Cañon City High School in 1944, Bob attended the University of Colorado (CU) – Boulder on a merit scholarship earning a chemistry degree in 1947. Thereafter, to further his education, he enrolled in Mexico City College to live with a Mexican family and learn Spanish. In 1949, Bob moved to Chicago and worked as a chemist for Swift & Co.
Bob was an officer in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and then served as a CIC and personnel officer seeing combat duty during the Korean Conflict aboard the U.S. Destroyer Chevalier. He flew the American flag from a tall pole in his front yard for the rest of his life as a symbol of his patriotic support for his country.
After the Conflict, Bob attended and graduated from CU Law School. He moved to Cañon City and started up his own law firm practicing law for the next 54 years, most of those years with Bruce Johnson. Bob’s law firm was and is very well known and highly regarded by former and current clients and it was the focus of his life. He provided sound and consistent legal advice and always with the highest levels of honesty and integrity. He was a member of the Colorado Bar Association from 1947-2011 and President of the local bar from 1978-80.
While in law school, he married Carol L. Mentzer on June 11, 1955. Together they had three sons within the first eight years of their 64-year marriage. He was very proud of his boys and the families they would eventually have themselves.
Bob’s civic involvement was vast. He was the second charter member of the local Rotary Club and spearheaded the water fountain project in Veterans’ Park. He served on many boards and most in leadership positions: Cañon City Public Library, Cañon City Abbey, Salvation Army, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society.
In addition, Bob was involved in several local business ventures over the years, both as an investor and as a developer. In particular, he was instrumental in developing the former Power & Shower car wash at 7th & Royal Gorge Blvd.
As a CU alumnus (undergrad and law school), Bob was a life member of the CU Director’s Club and a former member of the Alumni Board. He and Carol were avid fans at CU football games year after year.
Bob was licensed as a private pilot and enjoyed flying in his younger years. Other hobbies included watching sporting events and reading books about history. He and Carol travelled to Scotland, Holland, and France as members of the CU Roaming Buffaloes and they were also well- travelled within the U.S. and took trips to Spain, Venezuela, and Morocco.
Bob’s parents, brother, and wife preceded him in death. He is survived by sons Bryan (Jill) Fredrickson of Cañon City, Barry (Lisa) Fredrickson of Novelty, Ohio, David (Johnna) Fredrickson of Wareham, Massachusetts; eight grandchildren, Alexa, Matthew, Jenna, Grace (Tommy), Paul, Hale, Colin, and Jared. He also had one great-grandson born this year, Wylie Robert.
The Fredrickson family is grateful to the Florence Care Home for its staff’s loving and professional care for Bob as his days came to an end.
