HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Frederick William Poucher Jr.’s dry humor and razor sharp wit shined in rare form as he shared stories and jokes with his family and medical team on his way into open-heart surgery on March 18, 2015.

Although he passed away that afternoon, his lively personality and brilliant mind were in full force to the end, finishing his life the way he lived it, a force to be reckoned with and bringing joy, inspiration, and laughter to all who knew and loved him.

Born in 1931 in Minnesota, his family moved to Brea, Calif., where he first displayed in the family’s neighborhood café, what would be a lifelong tireless and amazing work ethic.

When his beloved older sister Marilyn contracted polio as a teenager, he stepped up to help. It created a special bond between them and highlighted his innate generosity of spirit and giving, which he used to help others throughout his lifetime.

Fred turned down an appointment to West Point to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with a chemical engineering degree and began working for General Electric in Richland, Wash., on the Plutonium Uranium Purification Project.

He went on to Atomics International Division of North American Rockwell which became Boeing where he finished out his illustrious career as program manager of alternative energy systems.

Some of his greatest accomplishments included development in the Space Nuclear Power Program, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, as well as wind, geothermal, and solar energy programs.

He married Joan M. Lastner, and successfully raised three children, Greg, Diane and Eileen, whom he cherished with all his heart and showered upon countless hours of love and devotion.

He used his Greatest Dad skills daily, carpooling, helping with homework (especially math), leading 4-H projects, traveling to horse shows, coaching Pop Warner football and YMCA Basketball, and just always being there when you needed him, as well as teaching us all to fish on numerous camping trips around the U.S. pulling the Shasta Trailer behind the family’s Country Squire station wagon.

More than 30 years ago Fred met and later married Joan Brown, gaining an adored stepdaughter, Janice Rivera, who especially appreciated the math homework help and sage advice. Her girlfriends requested to hang out at the house for the “Fred Poucher Comedy Hour” when he would always make them laugh.

In 1992 Fred retired and moved to Hidden Valley Lake, Calif., to be near his sister and mother. There he enjoyed puttering around the beautiful home he and Joan designed and had built.

They also loved to travel the world, favorite places being Hawaii, Palm Springs, and Cancun, as he loved the warm weather.

Spending many years as a caregiver to others including his children, his sister and her two children, Steve and Lynn, when they lost their father at a young age, and also his beloved mother, Fred’s giving spirit didn’t stop in retirement.

He became a member of the Redbud Health Care District Board, the St. Helena Hospital Region Board and the Northern California Network Board, and spent 20 years fighting for the community’s best interests.

He was instrumental in several important projects including the sale of Redbud Community Hospital to Adventist Health, the building of the St. Helena Clearlake Hospital Emergency Department, and promoting many community projects that benefited seniors, children, and those in need.

He loved working on his computer, feeding the wild birds, the San Francisco football season, ketchup, watching Bill O’Reilly and Meghan Kelly on Fox News, hitting the casino on Senior Day, being there for his family, and giving back to the community. Ironically, he loved fishing, but hated fish.

He was a fighter, never afraid to take on the big dogs, and in his quiet, strong way, always got things done. He was your go-to guy in a crisis, able to handle with confidence whatever problems arose while you could be rest assured he’d take on your burden and fix the problem. His could always make you laugh, had an infectious smile, was easy to be around, and in even the largest crowd, he was the one everyone wanted to be near.     

Fred is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Joan E. Poucher; his four children, Greg (Patti), Diane (Saadi), Eileen (Mark), Janice (Ken); his 14 grandchildren, Jeff, Chris, Mike, Julianne, Anisa, Zuhayr, Ibrahim, Alyssa, Jake, Gregory, MacKenzie and Morgan, Avery and Ariana; and six great grandchildren, Ryan, Charlotte, Clarissa, Brayden, Elijah and Isaiah.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred Sr. and Irene, his sister Marilyn Patterson, and his daughter-in-law Debbie Poucher.

Services will be held Friday, March 27, at 1:30 p.m. at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church, 15833 Armstrong St.

There will be a viewing Thursday, March 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Jones and Lewis Funeral Home, 16140 Main St., Lower Lake.

Interment will be Saturday, March 28, at 10 a.m. at the Kelseyville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are appreciated to St. Helena Hospital in memory of Fred Poucher, and sent to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake, Development Department, 15630 18th Ave, P.O. Box 6710, Clearlake, CA 95422.

He was always trying to get to the warm weather of Palm Springs, but now Fred basks in the greatest of God’s glory, light and warmth.

Fred William Poucher Jr., you were dad, husband, grandpa, and good friend. We miss you and thank you for the blessing of having you in our lives. We are jealous of the angels.

Arrangements under the care of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel. Please share your loving memories of Fred by signing his online guestbook at www.jonesandlewis.com .