Fred’s parents, Frederick and Freida Groepler raised him and his brother in Yonkers, New York. The family regularly attended Saint John’s Lutheran Church. Fred’s family loved Saint John’s where they donated beautiful stained glass panels depicting Jesus’ Last Supper.
Fred enjoyed growing up in New York with his beloved brother Carl. They especially loved ice skating in the winter and learning how to sail with their Father during the summer. They practiced their sailing skills on the Hudson River. In addition, the New York Groeplers spent many summers in New Jersey on the family farm where Fred developed a lifelong love of animals. He considered studying animal husbandry before heeding the call of the sea.
In 1949, New York senator Robert F. Wagner recommended young Fred to the United States Maritime Academy at Kings Point, New York where he graduated in 1953. Fred met his beloved Yolanda in 1962, together they raised a family and remained married for 61 blessed years.
Fred served in both the US Merchant Marines and US Navy Reserves. He began his career on the Great Lakes in 1950. During those early years he worked for Sinclair Oil and a couple of years for SeaLand Shipping. However, Matson Navigation was where he stayed for 28 years. This included serving as Chief Mate on the SS St. Augustine Victory. They were responsible for carrying military cargo, equipment and vehicles during the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, the SS St. Augustine was responsible for rescuing a group of Chinese seamen from a burning merchant vessel. Later in his career, Captain Groepler and the crew of the SS Lurine, were responsible for rescuing Lieutenant Commander Gary Haggstrom. Haggstrom, an Air Force rescue specialist stationed in Hawaii had parachuted into the ocean to aid two downed Navy pilots who had ejected from their jet. Fred received awards for both incidents one from the International Women’s Propeller Club of San Francisco.
In his later years, Fred loved being home with his family, listening to classical music, entomology, bicycling, tinkering, reading and attending Trinity Lutheran Church in San Rafael, CA. Along with his wife Yolanda, and other church members they prepared and delivered food to the homeless in San Rafael. For more than forty years Fred, his family and other Trinity members served Marin’s Homeless Community through Homeward Bound.
The night before Fred passed he told each of us how much he loved us. He was very much beloved by many. He is survived by his wife Yolanda, sons Matthew and Carl, daughter Elizabeth, cousins and nephew Eric Groepler, Eric’s wife Althea and son Paul.
A virtual memorial service will be held on February 18th at 2:00pm with Pastor Ed Krueger from Trinity Lutheran Church presiding.
The Groepler Family would like to thank Marin Emergency Services, and the Marin County Sheriff’s Department. Special thanks to Deputy Jason Swift for his kindness and care.
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