Obituary for Frederick William "Fred" Kreye
Frederick William Kreye, of Ann Arbor, Michigan passed away Sunday June 19, 2022, just 10 days shy of his 94th birthday.
Fred was born on June 29, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to German immigrants, Wilhelm and Johanna (Jellinghaus) Kreye. The family moved back home to Germany when Fred was 7 years old. Fred grew up on a farm in Unsen, Hamelin where his father farmed and his mother ran an inn within their home. Fred became interested in pharmacology ever since a guest at the inn, who was a pharmacist, was able to recognize that Fred, then 10 years old, was suffering from diphtheria, which in turn saved his life. Fred was an apprentice to a druggist at Reichsadler Drogerie in Bad Pyrmont, Germany.
When Fred was 19, he and his younger brother, Eric, traveled by boat to America. He had started school at the University of Michigan for pharmacy but had to take a break due to being drafted into the American Army during the Korean War. In addition to serving for the 525th Military Intelligence Service Group, the army sent him for training in Texas to become a pharmacy technician. On May 11, 1952, while in the military, Fred married Louise Feldhauser of Ann Arbor, Michigan. After his discharge from the army, he continued his studies and graduated from the UM School of Pharmacy in 1956. Fred loved his profession and was active in various pharmacy organizations also serving as a past president of the Washtenaw County Pharmacists Association. On the encouragement of Fred Ulrich, he purchased Carlson’s Drug Store on South University Avenue in 1960 and renamed the store The Village Apothecary. Together, Fred and Louise operated the pharmacy for 34 years until their retirement in 1994.
Upon Fred’s retirement, he thoroughly enjoyed traveling, spending time outside on his little slice of Heaven in Ann Arbor Township, enjoying all the plants and trees. He loved biking and photography. It was important to him to contribute to the education of other immigrants wanting to attend pharmacy school at the U of M and helped many students through scholarships. He also believed strongly in the reproductive rights of women and donated to causes to support that. He loved his friends, including those he met while living at The Manor at Glacier Hills Senior Community over the last 6 years and for several years, a group of friends met regularly for lunch or dinner, calling themselves the ROMEOs (really old men eating out). He also loved his family and was very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Irmgard Thorvaldsson; and loving wife, Louise, married for 64 years (until her death in 2016). He is survived by brother, Eric Kreye of Washington; brother-in-law, Johann Thorvaldsson of Iceland; sister-in-law, Irma Thompson of Michigan; daughter, Susan (Scott) Weiland of Georgia; son Steven (Dr. Judy) Kreye of Ohio; grandchildren Mark (Kati) Weiland of Washington, Meredith Kreye, Paige (Josh) Haley, Audrey Kreye and Christian Kreye all of Ohio; and great grandson, Theodore Haley; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Cremation has taken place and a private memorial with family will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in his name to a local arboretum or Botanical Garden, which he enjoyed so much.
Fred was born on June 29, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to German immigrants, Wilhelm and Johanna (Jellinghaus) Kreye. The family moved back home to Germany when Fred was 7 years old. Fred grew up on a farm in Unsen, Hamelin where his father farmed and his mother ran an inn within their home. Fred became interested in pharmacology ever since a guest at the inn, who was a pharmacist, was able to recognize that Fred, then 10 years old, was suffering from diphtheria, which in turn saved his life. Fred was an apprentice to a druggist at Reichsadler Drogerie in Bad Pyrmont, Germany.
When Fred was 19, he and his younger brother, Eric, traveled by boat to America. He had started school at the University of Michigan for pharmacy but had to take a break due to being drafted into the American Army during the Korean War. In addition to serving for the 525th Military Intelligence Service Group, the army sent him for training in Texas to become a pharmacy technician. On May 11, 1952, while in the military, Fred married Louise Feldhauser of Ann Arbor, Michigan. After his discharge from the army, he continued his studies and graduated from the UM School of Pharmacy in 1956. Fred loved his profession and was active in various pharmacy organizations also serving as a past president of the Washtenaw County Pharmacists Association. On the encouragement of Fred Ulrich, he purchased Carlson’s Drug Store on South University Avenue in 1960 and renamed the store The Village Apothecary. Together, Fred and Louise operated the pharmacy for 34 years until their retirement in 1994.
Upon Fred’s retirement, he thoroughly enjoyed traveling, spending time outside on his little slice of Heaven in Ann Arbor Township, enjoying all the plants and trees. He loved biking and photography. It was important to him to contribute to the education of other immigrants wanting to attend pharmacy school at the U of M and helped many students through scholarships. He also believed strongly in the reproductive rights of women and donated to causes to support that. He loved his friends, including those he met while living at The Manor at Glacier Hills Senior Community over the last 6 years and for several years, a group of friends met regularly for lunch or dinner, calling themselves the ROMEOs (really old men eating out). He also loved his family and was very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild.
Fred is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Irmgard Thorvaldsson; and loving wife, Louise, married for 64 years (until her death in 2016). He is survived by brother, Eric Kreye of Washington; brother-in-law, Johann Thorvaldsson of Iceland; sister-in-law, Irma Thompson of Michigan; daughter, Susan (Scott) Weiland of Georgia; son Steven (Dr. Judy) Kreye of Ohio; grandchildren Mark (Kati) Weiland of Washington, Meredith Kreye, Paige (Josh) Haley, Audrey Kreye and Christian Kreye all of Ohio; and great grandson, Theodore Haley; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Cremation has taken place and a private memorial with family will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in his name to a local arboretum or Botanical Garden, which he enjoyed so much.