Fred H. Isaack

Fred Isaack was born in Shanghai, China on June 23, 1946 to Kurt Philipp Isaack and Elisabeth (Dietsch). His parents fled from Berlin Germany in 1939 shortly before Germany went to war. At the time, Shanghai had the only open port in the world and an established Jewish community. During their time in Shanghai, the Japanese took over and held their entire community in an internment camp. Fred was born about 9 months after their release. Sadly, Kurt died in 1948 leaving Elisabeth and 4 surviving children. The following year they arranged passage to the United States and settled in Newark, New Jersey. Fred was able to obtain U.S. citizenship at the age of eight and celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at the age of 13 there. Later, Fred and his mom moved to east Las Angeles, California, where he graduated from John Marshall High School in 1965. Two years later he earned an Associate of Science in Aircraft Mechanics. Isaack joined the Army in 1968 as a turbo Helicopter Mechanic. He served in Vietnam from Jan. 5th, 1969 to Sept. 5th 1970. He obtained the rank of SP5 and was honorably discharged on Feb.1st, 1974. On April 1, 1972 Fred H. Isaack married Rebecca Sue Bernard in Alpena Michigan. They had 3 children born there and he started his teaching career there until he received a position in Gillette, Wyoming in 1982. Fred earned his Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and his Master’s of Education degree in Computer Technology from Lesley University. He taught at Sage Valley Junior High in Gillette, Wyoming 1982-1998 and Campbell County High School 1998-2013, mostly in the Special Education Dept. During this time, Fred also worked as a security guard at Campbell County Memorial Hospital and later at the YES (Youth Emergency Services) House. Mr. and Mrs. Isaack were also foster parents, fostering over 20 children throughout the years. In 2000, Mr. Isaack received the “Ten who made a Difference” award for his work with children in Campbell County, Wyoming. He was also awarded the Educator of the year there in 2003. He was also recognized in the Cambidge Book of Who’s Who many times. Fred and his family were chrismated into the Orthodox Christian Church in 1995 and were involved in the founding of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Gillette, Wyoming. He is currently a member of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Pueblo, Colorado. Mr. Isaack was a proud American and won many awards for his patriotism. He was a lifetime and founding member of VFW Post 7756 in Gillette WY and the 1st Cavalry Division Association. He served on the Salvation Army board and was involved in local politics. Fred enjoyed traveling and drove through every U.S. state and into Canada and Mexico. He made trips to Japan, China, and Germany and vacationed in western Europe and the Caribbean. He loved sharing slides from his travels. Mr. Isaack moved to Pueblo, Colorado in 2022 to be close to his daughter, Katrina and her family. He resided at Primrose Retirement Community and most recently at Rock Canyon Rehabilitation Center. He passed away in Pueblo, Colorado on April 25th 2024. Mr. Isaack is preceded in death by his parents, Kurt and Elisabeth (Deitsch) Isaack, his siblings: Rosemarie Decker (of Berlin Germany), Marion Isaack (in Shanghai), Joachim (Joe) Isaack, and Ingrid Bisso. He is survived by his sister, Lisa MacVittie of Cincinnati OH, his children: Katrina and Bret Orton of Pueblo, CO, Rachel and Casey Ferrell of Laramie WY, Fred A. and Sarah Isaack of Cheyenne WY, and Jordan J. Isaack of Billings MT, grandchildren: Zane, Kyria, Markos, and Jordan, former wife: Rebecca (Bernard) Cliburn of Russellville MO. and numerous nieces and nephews including Ken Hampton of Gillette WY. A funeral will be held at 10:00am, Monday, May 6th 2024 at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Pueblo CO with a reception immediately following. Burial will take place in Gillette WY.

Fred H. Isaack

June 23, 1946 - April 25, 2024