My father, Benedict J. Frederick Jr., died February 7, 2019, just shy of his 87th Birthday. In my last conversation with him, he told me that he was proud of me and he loved me. I told him how honored I am to be his son and that I loved him.
He taught me most everything I know about real estate; most importantly to always tell the truth, admit when I do not know the answer to a question, to always find ways to be of service…to help others, and to always act in the best interests of my client. He taught me discounted cash flow analysis and sales comparison techniques. By his example, he taught me diligence, perseverance, to “never give up”, to see the bright side of things and the bright side of each person and what makes them special.
By his example, he taught me the value of loving and honoring the mother of my children and the importance of a good strong family, placing the interests of my family above my own, and being a positive role model for my children. He taught me to share my love of learning by teaching others. He taught me to share the bounty of my efforts with those in need. He taught me the value of knowing my God, my Creator, and being open to knowing His plan for my life.
My father’s generous spirit continues past his life here, donating his body to the medical community. Therefore, there is no casket. Visitation will be Friday, February 22 from 3:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. at the Church Hall of Our Lady of Chesapeake Roman Catholic Church, 8325 Ventnor Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 23 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Chesapeake Roman Catholic Church with a reception following.
My father was born in 1932, to Benedict J. Frederick, Sr. and the former Dolores Schanberger, being raised on Saint Martin’s Road in Guilford. He attended Loyola High School, Blakefield, St. Francis Prep in Spring Grove PA, and Loyola University Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business in 1954.
After a 2-year stint in the United States Army Signal Corps, he worked in the firm founded by his father in 1916, then known as B.J. & G.W. Frederick, Inc., working his way up to President.
After selling real estate for 10 years, he earned the MAI (Member, Appraisal Institute) designation in 1967. He served as President of the Maryland Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and was invited into the Society of Real Estate Counselors (CRE) in 1985. His appraisal work included the acquisition of Hart & Miller Islands, rights-of-ways acquisition for numerous public works projects including the approach to the second Bay Bridge, the Key Bridge, and the Baltimore Light Rail Line. His accomplishments in the field of real estate made him a sought-after expert witness in many court cases on real estate matters for both government agencies and private property owners.
My dad took great joy in teaching: he taught real estate appraisal courses for the Appraisal Institute, the Johns Hopkins University, and investment real estate courses for the Realtors Institute (GRI). He was a pioneer in the use of computers in the real estate industry, developing an investment analysis program on the General Electric network in the 1970s. His articles on real estate appeared several times in the Appraisal Journal, published by the Appraisal Institute.
My dad was a self-starter and self-learner. He believed there was nothing that could not be accomplished if one set one’s mind and energy to it. He taught himself Morse code and built electronics, including his own ham radio, a discipline that grew into a lifelong passion. He obtained his amateur radio license at age 15, with the call letters W3OBV. He helped put radio station WBJC on the air in the early 1950s and worked summers at radio station WITH while attending Loyola College, now Loyola University Maryland. In 1954, during his last summer of college, he was an integral member of the team tasked with measuring the precise time of the total Solar eclipse, traveling to the Faeroe Islands in the North Atlantic on a project sponsored by the United States Air Force. He was a member of the Baltimore and Anne Arundel Radio Clubs.
An avid sailor, my childhood is filled with memories of spending weekends with my parents and siblings exploring ports throughout the Chesapeake Bay. My mom and dad sailed to New England, the Florida Keys, and the Bahamas. He was a member of the Gibson Island Club for 45 years, serving as Commodore of the Gibson Island Yacht Squadron in 1983 and 1984.
A man of great faith, my dad was a devout Catholic, served as President of Parents Association at Saint Pius X School in Rodgers Forge and lead the finance committee at Our Lady of the Chesapeake Roman Catholic Church in addition to being a Communicant and Lectern. He volunteered for Partners in Care as a handyman and driver. Hobbies included golf, astronomy, and electronics. He built his own telescope and a collection of radio-controlled model airplanes and boats. He enjoyed many years with the Chesapeake Bay and Southwest Radio Control Clubs. More recently, Mr. Frederick volunteered at the National Electronics Museum near BWI.
The love he had for my mom, Evelyn, in their marriage of 64 years, is the stuff that storybooks are made of. Together, their progeny include 7 children (me and my siblings Joan Voshell, Jeanne Backof, Barbara Taylor, Maryann Jones, Michael Frederick, and Kathleen Frederick), 18 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. My sister, Jeanne Backof, sadly passed away last December.