Frederick Anthony Meichle

Frederick A. Meichle, 95, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away September 29, 2023, at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center surrounded by family.

Fred was born June 29, 1928, in Pocatello ID, to John Nepomuk Meichle and Martina Baumann Meichle. A few years later, the family moved to Idaho Falls where his brother, Robert, was born. Fred attended Holy Rosary Catholic School, O.E. Bell Jr. High, and Idaho Falls High School, where he served as Yell King his senior year. Along with his brother, Bob, he worked in his spare time for his father at the Idaho Falls Cold Storage. After graduation, he and a few friends enlisted in the Navy. He served in Southern California, where he had many adventures, attended electronics school and served briefly as radar man aboard the USS Springfield, WWII having ended just before he started his service. One of his greatest pastimes was regaling others with stories from his Navy days.

Following the Navy, he started college at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, California and later married Maxine Elaine Guderjohn. She joined him there and they welcomed their first child, Michael. Fred graduated with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and with baby Mike in tow, took his first job in Baltimore, MD, followed by Pittsburgh, PA, where baby Debra made her appearance. Taking an opportunity to transfer to the new National Reactor Testing Station in the desert of Idaho, Fred and family moved back to Idaho Falls where son Kim, and later daughter Sonja, were born. Under various contractors, Fred worked designing and testing control systems for several research reactors at the INEL, retiring in 1993. He enjoyed electronics, computers, ships and boats, history, and took pleasure in designing and building items in his woodworking shop for his home and garden. He loved to help his children and grandchildren with their various scouting and school projects through the years, ensuring top-notch results. Fred was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church.

Fred is survived by his wife of 71 years, Maxine Meichle of Idaho Falls, ID; brother Robert (Nola) Meichle of Richland, WA; son Michael (Kathy) Meichle of Salt Lake City, UT, daughter Debra (Thomas) Brucker of Brookfield, WI, son Kim Meichle of Salt Lake City, UT, and daughter Sonja (David) Johnson of Idaho Falls; five grandchildren: David and John Meichle, Sarah Johnson, and Elizabeth and Margaret Brucker; and one great granddaughter Isabelle Meichle.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, John and Martina Meichle.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue. The family will visit with friends and family Saturday from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. prior to services. Interment will follow at Fielding Memorial Cemetery in Idaho Falls.

Military honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and the United States Navy.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to OperationHonorGuard.us or Holy Rosary Church or School.

The family wishes to thank the staff at EIRMC and Aspen Home Health and Hospice for their loving care.