OSTERLOH Bernard Fred II, passed away peacefully on January 3rd, 2017, his late wife Pat's birthday, surrounded by his four children in Prescott, AZ. He was called to heaven two days before his 81st birthday. Fred, a beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather, was born on January 5th, 1936 in Jersey City, NJ to Stella and Bernard (Ben) Osterloh. He graduated from Dwight D. Morrow High School in 1953 and entered the
Army in 1954, serving in Washington D.C. for 3 years. Fred was honorably discharged in 1957 and having earned the GI bill, went to Drexel University to study electrical engineering. He took a position with Bendix in Teterboro, NJ and in May of 1960, he married his high school sweetheart and wife of 46 years, Patricia Ann Witt. Fred attended one year of graduate school at NYU when the first of their four children was born. A dedicated husband and father, Fred enjoyed a successful 42-year career in the aerospace and defense industry working for Allied Signal, Litton and Northrop Grumman. Among his most notable achievements was his work on the descent engine of the Apollo Lunar Excursion Module which was the lander portion of the spacecraft designed to carry two astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface and back. He was also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers during his career. In 1977, Fred was offered the opportunity to relocate his family to Thousand Oaks, California while pursuing work on towed array sonar to help detect enemy submarine threats. Fond of the ocean, he enjoyed his excursions at sea while developing this technology. When he wasn't working, Fred was an involved husband, father and grandfather. He was a role model for his children and grandchildren in honoring God, prioritizing family and demonstrating a solid work ethic. He was involved in Indian Guides and Boy Scouts with his two sons and took his family on numerous camping trips in Pennsylvania, New York State and Nova Scotia. Fred loved camping, boating and fishing. He also enjoyed renting a bungalow and taking the family to the Jersey shore for summer vacations. In California, he enjoyed family trips to Yosemite, Sequoia National Park as well as other state National Parks like Bryce and Zion. In his later years, he cared tirelessly for his wife, Pat, during her 3-year battle with cancer. While his health was good, he spent time traveling to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii with his children and grandchildren. He was happiest when he was with his family. Fred is survived and will be missed by his sister, Jeanne McRae and his children: Diane Gaswirth (husband Alan); Deborah Buchta (husband Mike); Darren Osterloh (wife Cheryl) and David Osterloh. Fred's legacy also includes his five surviving grandchildren: Derek Gaswirth (17); Trevor Gaswirth (13); Tyler Osterloh (12); Blaine Osterloh (10); Grace Osterloh (6). A memorial service in honor of Fred's life will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 11th at Calvary Chapel, 5495 Via Rocas, in Westlake Village. There will be a private burial following at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Mortuary at noon and a
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