Fredrick Alan Gothard, 76

Fredrick Alan Gothard passed away March 1, 2013 at the age of 76. He was born on Sept. 1, 1936. There are no services.

My name is Sherry VanCleve. I met Fred in 2006 when he asked me if I would take care of his mom, Helan Schulze. Fred told me all the time that I should bring out my horses, because they would have more time room to run, and because his mom would enjoy watching. So I brought out my horses.

Fred started getting ill about six months ago, after his mom passed away. So I stayed on to help him. Later on, he told me the real reason why he had me bring out my horses. He knew that I would have to come out and feed them twice a day, and that I would come in to visit him. So what he did was Shanghai me.

Then when he moved into his mom’s house, he told me I could move into his building next door, so I did. He loved telling jokes and pulling stuff on people.

One night he called me about 2 a.m. and said he needed me real quick. I thought something was very wrong. I was in my pajamas and when I got over there, I asked him what was wrong. He told me that nothing was wrong, that “I just wanted you to get me a glass of ice water. I didn’t want to get up and do it myself,” he laughed. I could write more, but it would take up a whole book. The ones who knew him know what I’m talking about. He and his mom were like family to me. We all miss you.

Love,

Sherry