Charles Fred Luderitz

Charles Fred Luderitz, age 86, of Newark, DE, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2016, with his loving family by his side. Born April 9, 1930 to the late Verna H and Otis B Luderitz, he was raised in Mays Landing, NJ with his siblings, Ralph, Carl, Mary, Stewart (Pat), Howard and Lois Mae, all of whom preceded him in death. Fred loved being outside and spending time at Lake Lenape. He graduated from Pleasantville High School and was a regular attendee of PHS reunions. Fred proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps where he fine-tuned his practice of perfectly seamed pants. He settled in Newark, Delaware and had 3 daughters, the late Wendy Lee, Krissy Halkes (Bill, and their children Derek and Marleigh) and Cindy K Schaefer (Len). Encouraged by his favorite uncle, Bill Fraser, Fred became a volunteer fireman at Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder, where he spent many nights helping at bingo, and was honored to receive his 50 year pin in 2007. After 29 years as a Fire Safety Inspector at the Delaware City Oil Refinery, Pappy retired, then filled his days traveling cross country on his motorcycle, chasing lighthouses, cruising the highways with the Retreads, and he enjoyed watching and supporting Derek and Marleigh in their sports and activities. Fred met his wife, Betty while country line dancing, they married in 1991, and he became stepdad to Allison (Jim) and Brian (Robyn, and his children Ethan and Evelyn). He was a lifelong NASCAR fan and a fan of the UD teams. He loved being with his family and friends, and he loved his cats Autumn and Gracie. Uncle Fred leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter and will be terribly missed by his wife, kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors. A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Saturday morning, November 12, 2016, at the Christiana United Methodist Church, 21 West Main Street, Christiana, Delaware, 19702. A celebration of Fred’s life will be held from 1 pm until 4 pm Saturday afternoon, November 19, 2016, at the Mays Landing Fire Dept. Banquet Hall, 6081 Reliance Ave., Mays Landing, NJ 08330. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, Fred and his family would be grateful for donations made to Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Fire Company, P.O. Box 148, Newark, DE 19715 or to the Mays Landing Fire Dept., at the address listed above.