Frederick J. Erbach

Frederick J. Erbach passed away on August 26, 2012, at the age of 93. As a music teacher for over 40 years and a resident of St. Joseph for 60 years, he touched the lives of many people. Fred was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1919 to Max and Eleanore Erbach. Along with his parents and younger brother William, the family moved to Milwaukee. He started taking violin lessons in 4th grade and teaching lessons at age 15. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Milwaukee State Teachers College and a Master’s degree from Northwestern University in Perfomance Violin. Fred was proud to be a WWII veteran. He played clarinet in the Army band at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He met and fell in love with Dorothy Jane Agnell at a USO dance and they were married soon after he was discharged in 1946. His first teaching jobs were in Osceola and then Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. Fred and Dorothy moved to St. Joseph in 1952 where he was in charge of the school’s string instrument program for 25 years. They became the proud parents of son John and later a daughter Mary. After Dorothy passed away, Fred raised their two children on his own for 5 years. Fred married Nurma Jeanne Spooner in 1970. They enjoyed camping in their trailer at Harris and Donna Webster’s (Nurma’s sister) property on Round Lake near Cadillac and traveling around Michigan with their German Shepherd, Josh. They were married for 18 years. He was a first chair violinist in the Twin Cities Symphony Orchestra for many years. He played bass in the Larry Ernst Trio. Fred and Larry had met in the Army band and became life long friends. Later in life, Fred was blessed with a special companionship with Mary E. Morris. They traveled to Europe several times, dined together every night, and enjoyed each other’s company for 22 years. Fred enjoyed photography and developing pictures in his home darkroom, working in his woodshop, reading, and keeping in contact with many friends and family. He was a member of the Watervliet Rod and Gun Club, the Sarett Nature Center, and an early morning coffee group he called “Seminar”. Fred is preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy; second wife, Nurma; and brother, William. He is survived by his children and their spouses, John and Ruthanne Erbach, Mary and Dan DePotter; grandchildren, Dana (Ryan) Hostetler, Aimee (Ryan) Scherer, Kathryn Erbach, David Erbach; sister-in-law, Louise Erbach; nieces, Sue Burt, Christine (Helmut) Adam, Betty (Steve) Babik, and their children; stepson, Jim (Sheri) Spooner; Jim’s children, Jason Hughes, Naomi Castleman, Jessica Spooner; and nephews, Barry (Barb) Webster and Don (Nancy) Webster. Fred’s family appreciated the care and kindness he received from Hospice at Home and the nursing staff at Whitcomb Tower. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Sarett Nature Center or SJHS Band and Orchestra Parents. A visitation with family will be held Friday, August 31 from 4:00-7:00 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Those wishing to share a memory of Fred online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.