Frederick Charles Smith, 88, of Dubuque, returned home on Monday, February 19, 2018. He has escaped the confines of his imprisonment with Alzheimer’s disease. Fred was a friend to all and an enemy to none.

Fred is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Joyce, and their son, Kevin (Tessa) Smith.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 22, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Rev. Gabriel Anderson will officiate. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the American Legion Post #6. Friends may greet the family from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Rd., Dubuque.

Fred was born in Garden Grove, IA, the son of Howard and Dorothy (Stiles) Smith. He was the oldest of three sons, and was preceded in death by his brothers Richard and Bert. Though growing up in meager surroundings, his mother’s influence as a teacher formed Fred’s ambition for studies. He excelled at Garden Grove School and was president of his graduating class of 1947. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 until 1953. He served in Mannheim, Germany as part of the Psychological Warfare Department. He often reminisced about his younger, single days with his comrades-in-arms in Germany where he often said he “fought the war with a pencil”. After his discharge, Fred returned to Iowa where he attended Iowa’s Teacher College (University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls, graduated in 1955, and later obtained his Master of Arts in Education in 1960.

After graduation, Fred met, courted, and married Joyce (Teeple) of Waterloo in 1957. A year later, their son Kevin was welcomed into their lives.

He taught elementary school in Garrison, IA and then moved and lived in Tripoli where he split his time working as Principal at Tripoli and Fredericka Elementary Schools. Fred sought and received a position with the Dubuque Community School System, and the family moved to Dubuque in 1966. In Dubuque, Fred served as Principal for Audubon (1966-1968) and Eisenhower (1968-1984). He retired as Principal from Marshall in 1991.

Fred loved his community, his fellow teachers, and the students. He was an engaged and fair Principal. He cared for the well-being and the future of his students and teachers, and at times went out of his way to help a struggling co-worker or student. After his retirement, it was not unusual to hear his hearty laugh when he was approached by past students and co-workers who would recall the experiences they shared.

Fred loved to fish and as a Dubuquer, loved his Euchre. Keeping involved with the schools, for twenty-five years Fred was a lineman for the football games held at Senior High. And for several years you could find Fred and Joyce kicking up their heels to big-band music at the Cock’n Bull. His most cherished were his wife and son, but he also loved his Boston Terriers, of which he owned five over the years: Lady, Princess, Angel, Molly, and Sadie. And let’s not forget the Hawkeyes; Go Hawks!

Fred will be missed but is now free of the earthly binds. He is with his family, friends, and Boston Terriers. I can now hear his laugh that has been silent for too long. Fred is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Kyoko (Christian) Felland and Kalen (Randi) Bales.

Kevin and Joyce would like to thank everyone at Hawkeye Care Center for all their hard work and care over the last several years. In lieu of flowers, all gifts will be donated to Alzheimer’s Association.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hskfh.com