Obituary of Frederick Calvin Welch

Frederick C. Welch (79) longtime resident of St. Maries, ID died October 20, 2011 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 5, 1932 at Medford, OR He grew up in Medford and graduated from High School there with the class of 1950. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Hawaii during the Korean War. He was discharged in 1954 and returned to Oregon. He attended College at North Bend, OR where he received his A.A. Degree in Engineering. He then went to work for his father at an automotive garage as well as logging at Medford before joining the Peace Corps in 1964. He received his training at Manhattan , KS where he met his future wife Marjorie Faurot. They did outward bound training in Puerto Rico before going to the Dominican Republic. Fred and Marge were married on Nov. 3, 1964 at the U.S. Ambassador's home in Santos Domingo, Dominican Republic. Fred left the Peace Corps in 1965 and returned to Prospect, OR where he went to work for the U.S. Forest Service. He moved to St. Maries in June of 1971. He worked for the Red Ives Ranger Dist. While Marj worked for the St. Maries School District. Illness forced him to retire in 1978 and re-evaluate his life style. He built his home on Shay Hill with logs off his own property. Their home is called Sky Island Ranch where they have a landing strip for airplanes and operate a tree farm. Fred enjoyed hunting and shooting his Winchester rifle. He was an avid reader of non-fiction. Fred is survived by his wife Marge at the family home. Also surviving are his step-mother Hazle Welch of Gold Hill, OR , his brothers Roger Welch of Costa Mesa, CA. Ed Welch of Twisp, WA, Rick Welch of Lake Bay, WA. , Bill Welch of Boise, ID and Jeff Welch of Phoenix, OR and step-sister Candy Butts. Of Gold Hill, OR and sister Kathy Lewis presently teaching on an American Base in Korea. At his request, no services will be held. Visit his online memorial and sign his guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com Read Frederick Welch's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.