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Obituary ~ Fred Spendiff, 1922-2009
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Following is the eulogy written and delivered by Kim Jaenen, niece of Fred and Arline Spendiff, for Fred Spendiff:
Fred Spendiff was born Jan. 8, 1922, to Anne and Charles Spendiff and grew up three miles north of High Prairie along with his younger brothers. These were the days and years of the Depression. Fred was schooled in High Prairie, completing Grade 12 and then continuing his education at the Vermillion School of Agriculture where he completed a two-year curriculum in one year. Fred then returned to High Prairie and helped his parents on the farm for the next two years.
A worldwide event came calling and he joined the Canadian military, specifically, the Royal Canadian Air Force. This was in 1942. He was 20 years old. Fred was trained as a radio operator. His responsibilities were to control all in and out communications in the aircraft using Morse code. He was also a mid-upper gunner when required.
In 1943, at age 21, Fred was summoned to go overseas. His first stop was Scotland, then England and Ireland, where crews were formed and more training took place. They conducted simulated training flights over Germany in preparation for the battles that lay ahead.
On Sept. 14, 1944, the practice drills became a reality. He was now part of Squadron No. 428, the ‘Ghost Squadron’. From Sept. 15, 1944 through to March 25, 1945, he participated in a tour of 34 bombing missions, fighting for our freedom.
When Fred returned to Canada, he was given three choices: go to Japan, become an instructor or request a discharge. Fred expressed he wanted to go to the U.S.A. to meet some of his father’s relatives. His commanding officer suggested he request a discharge because the discharge would take awhile, thus giving him the opportunity to go south as he had wanted. When he returned to Canada from the U.S., he decided he would continue in the Air Force and requested he be sent to Japan. He was advised that the war was almost over and it was recommended he stick to his original decision and take the discharge. This meeting took place on Aug. 4 or Aug. 5, 1945. On Aug. 6, 1945, the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
Once out of the Air Force, Fred first worked in Edmonton and later drove a fuel truck for the B.A. dealer in High Prairie. After purchasing a quarter section of land through the D.V.A., he farmed in the summer and worked in the oilpatch in the winter. In 1954, he started his own trucking company, Spendiff Transport, which he incorporated in 1964. He rented the upstairs of the Bell Transport building, eventually purchasing it. In 1980, he built a new shop just east of town which is now known as Grimshaw Trucking.
Mary Kowalchuk was a long-standing employee, remaining with him until he sold his company in February 1989. She was employed by him for 25 years. It was a great pleasure to speak and meet with a couple of his former staff and they had this to say:
“Fred was funny, gentle, and soft spoken but don’t make him mad. You always knew you did wrong when you saw that infamous facial expression and the finger going up and down as he pointed at you to emphasize what he was saying!”
Another comment expressed was “he was fair, generous and honest.”
Warren Stout, a long-time former employee, shared a story about the time he and my Dad, Ken Babkirk, who worked for Fred in Edmonton, decided to get into a case of wine that was being shipped to High Prairie for delivery to the Catholic Church. They each consumed a bottle, put the empties back into the case and on to High Prairie it went! The wine was delivered and it wasn’t too long after this that Fred received a call from the priest expressing his case of wine had two empty bottles in it. Fred spoke to Warren and Dad and, of course, they denied their involvement but Fred knew better and he reduced their paychecks by the cost of the wine. Honesty must prevail!
Fred hauled for all the associations, organizations, and non-profit groups and hauled animals for the 4-H events around the Peace Country for free. It was his way of supporting his community and giving back. One Christmas Eve, when the Spaulding Hotel burnt down, Fred, as a firefighter, stayed there all night and Christmas Day, in -30 weather, looking after the fire.
Fred has been very instrumental in this community. His involvement was second to none. He took part in the Legion, Elks, High Prairie Minor Hockey, Marigold, Chamber of Commerce, High Prairie Fire Department and the Walleye Association. He wasn’t just involved. He was dedicated.
Marg Jacobsen, a former High Prairie school teacher, said he was one of the finest men she has ever known. She shared how most of us, when hearing about someone’s troubles, might call and offer our services.
Not Fred! He would attend in person and ask what he could do to help.
She also recalled the countless times she heard her students mention Fred’s name for helping them with hockey or the purchase of new equipment.
Years later, High Prairie honoured Fred with a dinner where they presented him with a No. 25 jersey and other gifts. Also, a scholarship fund was collected from local organizations and presented to Fred at the dinner the Fred Spendiff Scholarship was born. For this recognition, Fred was always appreciative that High Prairie gave so much to him.
Fred became interested and involved in organized hockey when the new arena was built. First he managed the Regals, then the juniors with Frank Pratt, and finally, the midgets with Duff Pratt. These hockey kids were like his own. He insisted he see each and every one of their report cards. If they hadn’t kept up with their marks there would be no ice time. Fred drove the boys to and from games and they all loved him for it. He was like a surrogate parent, if you will.
Maxine and Morley Favine, Fred’s sister-in-law and her husband, remember that on every Thanksgiving or Christmas Uncle Fred and Aunt Arline spent in Arizona, Fred would be down at the homeless shelters donating turkeys and oranges. On Boxing Day, he shopped for boxes of Christmas lights which he brought back to the Town of High Prairie for decorating the following year. He loved decorating for Christmas; it was his favourite time of the year.
At the age of fifty, in 1972, Fred married Aunt Arline and had an instant family of four: Mickey, Lois, Gene and Ron. The first three children were grown and on their own at this time. Ron and Aunt Arline joined Fred to live in High Prairie, following the marriage.
After Fred retired in 1989, Arline and Fred spent many winters in Arizona and later, in Kelowna. Fred kept active with the Legion, Elks and the Truckers Association until a couple of years ago when his health kept him from participating. He found great joy with his granddaughter, Jordan Elko. She had him wrapped around her little finger. He loved to play games and do whatever Jordan requested of him. She brought so much joy to his life.
Fred will be remembered by all who knew him as a loving husband, father, grandfather and a man who gave so much to this community. May his legacy live on forever!
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