Frederick Kenneth Bierbaum

Frederick Kenneth Bierbaum passed peacefully at home on April 19, 2017 at 4:20PM. He died with his closest family members and his hand on top of his dog Gunner’s head, and his favorite radio station on WJRR 101. Fred was born in St. Louis, MO on March 12, 1959 with the most beautiful blue eyes. Fred attended elementary school in Jennings, MO and MHLT in Minocqua, WI. He worked at Castle Drive-in Theater which his father owned from his early youth to age 18. He was also the youngest person in WI to have a Class A radio license at that time. He worked at both of his father’s radio stations, WWMH-FM and WBEZ-AM. He was a Boy Scout and in DeMolay. He attended high school at LUHS in Minocqua, WI, played football and wrestled. He was in the Audio Visual Club and Band. Fred married Christine on June 23, 1979. They were married 13,815 days. They moved to Florida in January, 1982. Fred had a huge love of music. He played guitar, bass, trumpet, drums and harmonica . . . and was in many bands. He played the Harley Davidson Fall Ride in Tomahawk, WI. That brings us to another all time love, motorcycles. He was a lifetime member of Abate of Florida. He also liked 3 and 4 wheeling with the kids, especially at his wife’s family farm. He was an avid hunter and an excellent marksman. He spent a lot of time fishing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He also spear fished underwater in the ocean. He was a certified cave diver and instructor and did hundreds of dives in Northern Florida. He was a commercial electrician. Fred was a great cook and loved to use his smoker. He made great beans. He also loved making breakfast over the fire at hunting camp. He lived his life to the beat of his own drum. He is survived by wife Christine; his son Rick (Frederick Kenneth Bierbaum, Jr.); his brother, Richard M. Bierbaum(Betty); step-mother, Ann Bierbaum; step-brother, Kevin R. Brown; step-sister, Teresa Levandoski(Ken); mother-in-law, Joan Mertz; brother-in-law, Craig Mertz; three sister-in-laws, Michelle Duhr(Mike), Colette Gregory,(Al), and Penny Kuckkahn(Dale). Fred had no aunts or uncles as both of his parents were only children. He made up for it in nieces and nephews. His nieces are Tracy Copeland(Frank), Jennifer Cator(Andy), Angela Mertz, Andrea Kimball(Jesse), Janet Rynders(Ed), Amber Novotny(Mike), Jacey Wilson(Scott), and Elaine Kuckkahn. His nephews are Tyler Copeland, Jeff Gregory(Brittany), Kyle Mertz, and Phil Kuckkahn. His great-nieces are Ashlee Robinette(Seth), Stephanie Copeland, Brittany Copeland(Zach), Hailey Coy, Layla Rynders, Trinity Cator, Olivia Kimball, Claire Rynders, Adalynn Gregory, Grace Novotny, Ellen Kimball, and Mabel Novotny. His great-nephews are Cody Cator, Tyson Coy, Trystan Cator, Tripp Cator, Jaden Wilson, Dwight Rynders and Hunter Wilson. His great-great nephews are Hunter Robinette, Landon Robinette and Cooper Bellamy. Fred had friends from Alaska to the tip of Florida and beyond. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick H. Bierbaum,, Jr. and Geraldine; his grandparents, Dr. Frederick Herman Bierbaum and Helen; Gaines Patton and Zelda(his favorite) and his father-in- law, Elburne Mertz. Fred was a man of faith. There will be a celebration of his life at his home in St. Cloud, FL Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 3:00 PM.

Frederick Kenneth Bierbaum

March 12, 1959 - April 19, 2017