Rev. Dr. Frederick Curtis Fowler III

Rev. Dr. Frederick Curtis Fowler III, affectionately known as Fred, went to be with his Heavenly Father on March 22, 2024 at the age of 92. Born on March 8, 1932 in Mount Union, PA, amid a family of ministers and missionaries, Fred gave his life to Jesus Christ at an early age. The son of Rev. Dr. Frederick C. Fowler II and Anna Bucher Fowler, he spent his formative years in Pittsburgh, later attending prep school at Mercersburg Academy. He graduated with a BA in Political Science from Northwestern University in 1955 where he played football and threw shot put.

Fred earned his Masters of Divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA where he met the love of his life, Suzanne, from Acworth, GA. Together they moved to Lexington, MS where Fred had his first pastorate at First Presbyterian Church. In 1963, Fred was called to plant West Hills Presbyterian Church, a new congregation in Knoxville, TN. This is where he would invest the rest of his life of service, including 32 years in the pulpit of WHPC and 26 years in the pew. During his retirement Fred spent many weekends filling the pulpit for other churches around East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.

Although ministry was his primary gift, Fred’s strong leadership qualities brought him national recognition. From 1965-1974, Fred was Director of the World Missions Conference held annually in Gatlinburg, TN for the Presbyterian Church US. In 1973, Fred was active in the creation of the Presbyterian Church in America, for which he sat on its World Mission Committee. In 1985, Fred was honored with a doctor of divinity degree by Florida Bible College.

Fred served for the National Right to Work Committee, serving its Legal Defense Foundation for 30 years, including as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He was committed to the idea that no worker should be forced to join or pay dues to a labor union in order to get or keep a job. Fred was also a 30-year member on the Board of Directors for the Leadership Institute in Arlington, VA, which teaches conservative young Americans how to influence policy through direct participation, activism, and leadership. He approached his political passions with the same dedication and care that he showed in his ministry, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and peers by receiving the “Great Communicator” Award by National Right to Work in 2021.

Those who knew Fred recognized his God-given gift of mercy, his wise counsel and his gentle comfort for the discouraged, the bereaved, the sick, and the dying. Fred and Suzanne frequently opened their home and hearts to those outside of his congregation who have experienced financial and personal heartache. His ministry at West Hills included a unique personal relationship with each and every member.

Fred’s love of music was expressed through his beautiful bass voice and his trombone playing at family reunions and retirement homes. He enjoyed woodworking, leaving us with tens of triangle puzzles and hundreds of golf tees for them. Fred loved watching football and attending VOLS track meets. Prior to remote controls, he would have several games playing on multiple TVs in the living room. He left the family a true legacy through his avid love of photography, taking thousands of photos and miles of video of family, friends, and people we don’t even know.

Fred is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Suzanne, and his two children, Libby Fowler Gutberlet (Eric) of St. Louis, MO and Frederick Curtis Fowler IV (Tijuana) of Benton, KY; and his 3 grandchildren Anna Schroeder (Ryan), James Gutberlet (Emerald), Peter Gutberlet (Ashley); and 5 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are Rosalie Fowler Arnold of Kernersville, NC, and brother Rev. Dr. Paul Bucher Fowler (Patricia) of Dallas, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Anna Fowler, and his older sister, Mary Mulvina Fowler Zitzman.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 6th at 12:00 followed by a 1:00 memorial service at West Hills Presbyterian Church, 7600 Bennington Drive NW, Knoxville, TN. A private family burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be given to West Hills Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.dignitymemorial.com

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, to Him who is able, at your death, to present you blameless before His throne of grace with exceeding great joy. To the only wise God, our Savior, let there be glory, majesty, dominion and power, now and forever more. AMEN.” (Jude 1:24-25)