Frederick P. Baer

Frederick P. Baer, 80, of Easton, PA, formerly of Mount Penn, PA, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026 at Muhlenberg Hospital.

Born May 7, 1946, Fred was the son of the late Miriam May (Rhoads) Baer Hale, and Andrew Shaner Baer.

A 1965 graduate of Mount Penn High School, he was a machinist's apprentice before being drafted to the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, where he served honorably from 1966 to 1969 aboard the USS Shangri-La. He never let us forget that when the ship passed the Rock of Gibraltar he was stuck in the Engine Room and missed seeing it.

Fred (who was also known as Fritz, but never Freddy) enjoyed traveling-including backpacking through Europe after his tour of duty with dear friends, before beginning his career. Fred was employed by Ingersoll Rand for 25 years before ending his career at Minteq. He enjoyed his work as a metallurgical technician and the projects he was able to bring to life, including assisting in the building of the New Horizons interplanetary space probe that launched in 2006, which seeks to capture the first ever high resolution images of the furthest reaches of our galaxy.

An accomplished musician, Fred could always be found in the church choir loft, as well as adding his voice to the Musical Arts Chorus of Easton and Warren County Community Singers, among other choral organizations. Fred most loved singing duets with his wife, Louise. In addition to music making, Fred made a mean Manhattan Clam Chowder and Minestrone, delighted in a midnight snack of cheese and pretzels, and was fondly known as the cookie monster by his grandchildren. A teller of tall tales and terrible jokes, it was hard to not laugh at his puns.

A man of faith, Fred was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (now United Fellowship Lutheran Church) in Easton, PA, where he served as layperson and liturgist.

Frederick was predeceased by his wife, Louise C. (Nowiak) Baer and his son, Andrew Baer. Surviving are his children, Sarah Baer, and her husband Jacob Ruttle, Emily (Baer) Kitt, and her husband Matthew Drozdowski, and his beloved grandchildren, Wylie, Jack, and Beatrice.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred's honor can be made to the Worship Music Fund of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1335 Old Carriage Road, Northampton, PA 18067.

A Visitation for Fred will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, at Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory, 14390 Kutztown Road, Fleetwood, PA.

Memorial Services for Fred will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 11:00 am at Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory, 14390 Kutztown Road, Fleetwood, with the Rev. Gary L. Walbert, officiating. Burial will take place privately at St. John's German Lutheran Cemetery in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Walbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Fleetwood, is honored to be caring for Fred and his family. Messages of comfort and sympathy can be offered to Fred's family on his obituary page at www.WalbertFuneralHome.com.