Obituary of Fred Stassel

The youngest of nine children, Fred was born at the family home in La Porte, Indiana. His parents, Elizabeth and John, had emigrated separately from Lithuania before meeting in Pittsburgh. Fred attended local public schools and dreamed of a life more exciting than this little town in northern Indiana provided. Coming from a large family and having lost his dad when he was 16, Fred figured out a way to get a college education: the newly implemented GI Bill. Upon graduating from La Porte High School in 1946, he asked his mother to sign the papers to let him join the U.S. Navy a week before his 18th birthday. Although two sons came back safely from WWII, she was uneasy about sending another son off to the military. Knowing he really wanted to go, she made him a deal: Paint the two-story house next door that the family owned then she’d sign the papers. He hauled out a ladder and went to work during a humid Indiana summer. After he finished, his mother said goodbye to her baby and he started his adult life as Fred “N.” Stassel. He didn’t have a middle name, so the Navy assigned him one: The letter N, which stood for “No middle name.” It curiously showed up on official documents at various times throughout his life. He was stationed at the Naval Air Facility in Adak, Alaska, in the Aleutian Islands, and earned the rank of aviation electronics third class, He became proficient in Morse Code, which he used to communicate with the base when they were using small planes to keep an on eye on the Russians. In his free time, he played on the undefeated basketball team. After two years, nine months and 11 days, he was honorably discharged on June 6, 1949. After spending a summer back home, he entered Indiana University at Bloomington. His college experience was what movies are made of. In his sophomore year, he pledged Alpha Tau Omega and moved into the frat house. That year, he was crowned King of the Dames Ball accompanied by his girlfriend, Martha McNichols. It didn’t matter that he was forced to wear a stupid hat. He’d found success and excitement. In 1951, his fraternity participated in the historic inaugural Little 500 bicycle race, a three-hour relay race to raise money for student scholarships. He raced again the following year, making memories that lasted a lifetime. In 1953, he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business and set off to begin his career as a salesman. His first real job was in Florida working for Armstrong Cork, a flooring manufacturer called Armstrong Cork. In early 1955, he was put in charge of the Southern Florida territory, where he stayed for several years. Having passed through San Diego during the Navy, he decided he’d like to settle in California, so he went to Los Angeles in 1959. One night while out in the San Fernando Valley, he met the woman who would become his wife. He was working the Central Coast territory as a traveling salesman for Delco Battery, gone all week and spending time with his new girlfriend and her three sons on the weekends. Fred and Mona were married at the Little Brown Church on Coldwater Canyon Boulevard in Studio City on June 17, 1961. By then he realized a 9-5 sales job would be better for a new family man, so he started training to become a stockbroker with E.F. Hutton. Shortly after the wedding, the family of five moved to Bakersfield so he could start his new job and four years later, his daughter Stephanie arrived. At age 75, he retired as a stockbroker in 2005, after 44 years of service to the same company that went through many name changes. Although he was successful and enjoyed his career, he never thought he was cut out for sales. Looking back, he wished he could have been a lifeguard on an L.A. County beach. A job on the beach would have been perfect for a man who saved the lives of three people when he was a teenage lifeguard at a lake in his hometown. It also would have been appropriate for a man who always appreciated women and was a flirt up until the very end. After his divorce in 1981, Fred became one of Bakersfield’s most eligible bachelors and was often on the dance floor doing the jitterbug. Next to his beloved Cadillac Eldorado, Fred’s greatest joy in life was being a father and a grandfather. The day after his 67th birthday, his first grandchild, Jesse, arrived. Nearly four years later, he got a granddaughter—Jenny. After his health started its initial decline, he moved to Meadowbrook Senior Living in Agoura Hills in 2011 so he could be closer to his family and have access to better medical care. He often said it was the best decision of his life. Being near his family allowed him to attend nearly all of his grandchildren’s sporting and school events. Being present and able to pass along his sage advice gave his life meaning and purpose. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Stephen Bluestein of Agoura Hills; stepson Dennis Lefler of Austin, Texas; sister Ann Stassell of La Porte, Indiana; grandson, Jesse Bluestein of San Luis Obispo; and granddaughter, Jenny Bluestein of Agoura Hills. He is preceded in death by his stepsons Larry Lefler and Steven Lefler; brothers Ed Stassel, Alex Stassel, John Stassel; and sisters Betty Shamp, Gay Laughery, Eleanor Stassel, Margaret Stassel. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 at Rose Family Funeral Home, 4444 Cochran St., Simi Valley, followed by a 12:30 p.m. burial at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Reception to follow at the Bluestein Family Residence. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Fred’s alma mater, the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University: http://kelley.iu.edu/development/donations.cfm