Frederick Aschert Obituary

Frederick Roy Aschert, 88, of Lakewood, Colorado died peacefully of natural causes on June 26, 2016. His wife Chiyoko Kondo Aschert preceded him in death in 1999. Fred leaves behind his daughters Marie T. Clark of Aransas Pass, Texas (Husband Ron), Sandra J. Aschert (Partner John) of Boulder, Colorado, and sons Frank Aschert (Wife Sydney) of Redmond, Washington and Richard Aschert (Wife Andrea) of Lakewood, Colorado as well as three grandsons, one great-grand daughter and his four pawed buddies Hana and Pesko. Fred also leaves behind his long time sweetheart Betsy.

Fred was born July 21, 1927 in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. At birth he weighed 3 ½ lbs. surviving the first of many occasions during his lifetime where he would cheat the Grim Reaper.

Fred was a WWII veteran serving as a Merchant Marine and sported tattoos and a gold earring during his early days. He later enlisted with the Army Air Corp and afterwards the Air Force in the late forties. He was stationed in Japan during this period where he met his future wife Chiyoko. Fred was also a Korean War Veteran with the Air Force. During his military career, Fred, Chiyoko and family traveled across the US and Pacific between Air Force bases. In the early 60's Fred was stationed on an air defense radar station (Texas Tower) located offshore on the eastern continental shelf where he pursued his passion for model building. During this period Fred built a scaled model of Texas Tower #2, which resides at U.S. Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. In retirement, Fred built a second more detailed model of Texas Tower 2, which now resides at the Peterson Air & Space Museum, Colorado Springs, CO.

Fred had a strong passion for life, adventure and was detailed and focused with all he pursued. After a distinguished military career, Fred retired in Colorado Springs at an early age of 47, which allowed time for his hobbies. Fred was an avid rock climber and hiker. In the 80's and 90's Fred had mastered many of the classic rock climbs at Garden of the Gods and shared his knowledge of these classics with young aspiring climbers and continued these friendships for his remaining years. Fred logged well over 500 ascents of Pikes Peak along the Barr Trail as a day excursion, and completed the Colorado 14ers in 1994. Later in life Fred moved to Lakewood and worked in his son's garage and basement to fulfill his wood working passion. In addition to furniture and intarsia from exotic woods, Fred's real passion was building scaled models of sailing ships in great detail, requiring 1000's of pieces of wood and various materials. Each vessel was modeled to the minutest detail and with the open ended style that only Fred could imagine. Fred will be remembered not only for his dry sharp wit, strong sense of adventure, loyalty, and his passion for life, but most importantly his integrity and ethics towards all.

Fred's ashes will be scattered along with Chiyoko's. No services will be held. No flowers. Instead let's all raise a toast one last time in Fred's honor; Kanpai!