Frederick George Dauffenbach

Frederick George Dauffenbach February 12, 1928-March 22, 2010 41 Year Resident of Pleasant Hill Fred touched many lives with his kindness, generosity, integrity, and devotion to family. Most who knew him, adored him. He was born in Sioux City, Iowa where he fondly remembered hunting and fishing trips with his father while traveling throughout the Midwest. He graduated from Central High School in Sioux City in 1947, and then went on to attend the University of Nebraska, Lincoln where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology at the young age of 21. After graduation, Fred enlisted in the United States Air Force, graduated from Officer Candidate School in San Antonio, Texas, and then went on to serve as 1st Lieutenant in the Strategic Air Command during the Korean Conflict. Fred married his beloved wife, Clare, on February 13, 1954. The next 26 years were filled with happiness, some good times and bad, and all the complexities of raising four children, while relocating from San Francisco to Fresno, and then to Pleasant Hill in 1969. Through it all, each remained ever loyal, dedicated, and in love with the other. Clare unexpectedly passed in 1980. Fred guided his family through these very difficult times with incredible fortitude, unlimited courage, and an unwavering desire to keep Clares memory and spirit alive in the hearts of her children. Fred spent many years in the insurance industry as a Claims Adjuster and Claims Manager, working for such firms as Transamerica and Continental Casualty before starting a twenty-year career with the State of California, Department of Transportation, where he retired as a Toll Sergeant after working for many years on the Richmond/San Rafael, Dumbarton, and Benicia/Martinez Bridges. Fred, in his retirement years, enjoyed travel, watching T.V. (especially Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune!), working in the yard, and spending time with his family. Fred, after being a widower for many years, was blessed to marry Dee Swalwell in 1990. They loved each others company, traveled in the United States and abroad, participated in church and social activities, and both would often be seen holding hands as they crossed Fieldcrest Drive between their respective homes. Fred was a devoted, caring, and loving husband to Dee until her passing into Gods Kingdom in 1994. In addition to enduring the loss of two loving spouses, Fred fought a long-running and courageous battle with Parkinsons Disease over the last 15 years of his life. What he endured and overcame on a daily basis, was inspirational. He waged this battle with dignity and unrelenting toughness, until God granted him peace and salvation in Heaven. The family wishes to extend our sincerest gratitude to all his friends, neighbors, caregivers, personal physicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists who were so dedicated and attentive to his care. All of these special people greatly contributed to Freds happiness, quality of life, and his ability to fight back against the disease that ultimately took his life at the age of 82. Fred is the beloved father of Diane Roberts of Benicia, Joan Dauffenbach of Bay Point, Paul Dauffenbach of Fairfield, and Robert Dauffenbach of Granite Bay. He is the treasured father-in-law of Rick Roberts, Teri Bergman, and Amy Gaylor, and is the uncle of Roger, Joel, and Margaret Dauffenbach. Fred was preceded in death by his parents Dr. and Mrs. Roger Dauffenbach, D.D.S., by his beloved aunts and uncles Marion and Marie Winiecki and George and Ethyl Marousek, and by his two brothers, Dr. Roger Eugene Dauffenbach, D.D.S and Robert Dauffenbach, Esquire. Fred peacefully passed away on March 22, 2010, surrounded by family and friends. His family takes great comfort in knowing that Fred is now in the hands of the Lord in Heaven. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and caregivers are warmly invited to attend a visitation and celebration of Freds life on Thursday, March 25th from 4-6 p.m., which will immediately be followed by a Rosary from 6-7 p.m. at the Oak Park Hills Chapel, located at 3111 N. Main Street in Walnut Creek. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 26th at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Pleasant Hill. Visitation Thursday, January 1, 1970 12:00 am-06:00 pm