The youngest of four children, Fred was born on April 16, 1951, to Paul and Betty Dahm in Manhattan, Kansas. Shortly after Fred’s birth the family moved to Ames, Iowa. Fred was a proud graduate of Ames High School and went on to get three degrees, including his PhD from Iowa State University, living out his high school motto: Ames Hi Aims High.
While studying at Iowa State, Fred met the love of his life, Diane Laundy, on a camping trip in the Minnesota Boundary Waters along the US-Canada border. Fred and Diane married and started their family while living in married student housing and earning his PhD and her Master’s Degree. Brian Christopher Dahm, whom they named after Fred’s favorite childhood dog, would be their eldest son. Upon graduating they moved to College Station, Texas where Fred would earn tenure at Texas A&M University and teach Statistics for 38 years. Once Diane stopped crying over the move, they loved raising their growing family there. Sarah Lindsay (Dahm) Hunte and Jeffrey Andrew Dahm soon rounded out the family. Through the years there were many beloved dogs as well: Clancy, Molly, Shannon, Ruby, and Pfeifer.
Fred loved playing tennis and played for both his high school and collegiate teams. He continued playing tennis and basketball well into adulthood, which would be the source of many enduring friendships. Throughout Fred’s life he was a dedicated fan of the Iowa State Cyclone wrestling and basketball teams. He also became an avid hockey fan, scheduling family meals around televised games and traveling to watch many NHL games. But Fred’s favorite teams were his children’s. He spent numerous evenings and weekend afternoons coaching and/or cheering on basketball, soccer and swim teams.
He despised small talk and enjoyed being alone, yet many would describe him as the life of the party. The quantity of friends didn’t matter to him nor the frequency of get togethers and phone calls; a relationship with Fred was genuine, deep, and long lasting. In an effort to welcome the graduate students he recruited to the Texas A&M Statistics Department, he hosted an annual Oktoberfest party at his home. Over the years this event grew in size and lore, peaking at over 100 attendees and several hundred bratwurst cooked.
He loved his routine and enjoyed crossword puzzles, long walks, and spending time with his family (although he always ensured he and Diane never overstayed their welcome). He loved exploring new places, and especially enjoyed traveling in Europe. Last summer Fred and Diane hosted a joyous family celebration for their 50th wedding anniversary in Barcelona, Spain with their children and grandchildren.
Fred and Diane retired to Austin in 2017. He loved living there, exploring his new town, checking on all the construction projects during daily walks and being so close to Sarah, Jeff and their families.
Regardless of where he lived, he always kept two things on his dresser so he could see them daily; a picture of his older brother Chuck, whom he described as his hero, and a placard with a Will Rogers quote, “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” Chuck’s wife Nancy would become a favorite travel partner of Fred and Diane’s. They spent time hosting each other in their Austin and New Hampshire homes, joining Rick Steves tours across Europe, and many other adventures.
While we lost our beloved husband and Dad, many lost a friend and loved one. He was loved by others, influential to many, a master at sarcastic humor and witty timing, and even a bit maddening at times. There was so much more to him than just husband and dad, though to us that was his greatest role - he was also a friend, co-worker, neighbor, brother, surrogate grandfather, great conversationalist, grammar enthusiast.
Fred was predeceased by his parents, brother, two brothers-in-law and a nephew. He is survived by his loving wife Diane, his three children: Brian Dahm and wife Liza of Dallas, TX; Sarah Dahm Hunte and husband Emerson, Jeffrey Dahm and wife Annie, all of Austin, TX; and seven grandchildren whom he adored: Lily and Luke Dahm; Addison and Emerson Hunte; and Olive, Owen and Amelia Dahm. He is also survived by his sisters Patricia Flores and Margaret Stevenson, his mother-in-law Shirley Laundy, three sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law and multiple nieces and nephews.
We invite you all to share pictures or memories. It was his wish that we laugh and reminisce, and celebrate his life during this time.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity. A Celebration of Life will be held at a time and place to be announced.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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