Robert "Fred" Hunter '59 August 18, 2023 5:10 PM updated: August 18, 2023 5:22 PM
Robert Frederick "Fred" Hunter
June 7, 1937 - August 17, 2023
Robert Frederick (Fred) "R.F." Hunter was born June 7, 1937 in Ft. Worth, Texas and died on August 17, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. He was the only child of Homer Alexander Hunter (1904-2001) and Pauline Steely Hunter (1906-2004).
Fred was a product of Dallas public schools, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1955. He enrolled in Texas A&M in September 1955 where he was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets for four years. He was in the Texas Aggie Band (Drum major 1958-59), Ross Volunteers, and Drum and Bugle Corps. Later, he was elected a Class Agent for the Class of 1959. Fred earned the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M. Upon graduation from A&M, he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Public Health Service. During his two years of service in the U.S.P.H.S., he was promoted to the rank of Lt. (j.g.).
Fred was married to Elisabeth Loader in July 1961. Of that marriage, two children were born, viz. Alex and Bob Hunter. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Alex Hunter and Patti of Atlanta, Georgia, Bob Hunter and Kelly of Dallas, Texas; and three grandchildren, viz., Halie Hunter and her husband Zach Clark, their children, Norah and Hazel, Madison Hunter and her husband, Cameron Roepe, and Austin Hunter, all of Atlanta, Georgia. His great-granddaughter, Caroline Grace Clark has preceded him.
He entered the Sloan Graduate School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1962 and earned the degree of Master of Science in Industrial Management in 1964.
After graduation from M.I.T., Fred was employed as a consulting engineer in Dallas with his Dad's firm, Hunter Associates. In 1972 he resigned to attend the S.M.U. School of Law, from which he graduated in 1974. Thereafter, the family moved to St. Louis, MO, where he was the General Counsel for Hydro-Air Engineering, Inc., an international manufacturing firm. In 1977, Fred was appointed Managing Director (CEO) of HydroAir's operations in Europe and the family moved to High Wycombe, England. He was in charge of the company's operations in England, France, Germany, South Africa, Sweden and elsewhere in Europe. Fred returned to St. Louis in 1981 as President of Hydro-Air USA and served in that capacity until 1983 when he resigned to move back to Dallas. While in Dallas, Fred married his second wife, Barbara Bailey Edwards.
Fred established a law practice in Dallas in which he was principally involved with wills, trusts, probate, and corporate matters. He was committed to the Senior Adult Ministry at Skillman Church of Christ where he contributed his legal expertise pro bono until he retired in 2008. In his later years, he was an active member at Preston Road Church of Christ.
Fred was a Registered Professional Engineer, a Member of the Texas and Missouri State Bar Associations, American Society of Civil Engineers, Sul Ross Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Hella Temple, National Rifle Association, Texas Aggie Band Association and a former member of the Rotary Club of Park Cities.
The family will receive visitors from 5-7 pm Monday, August 21, 2023; Services will be held at 11 am Tuesday, August 22; both will be held at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX, with Jim Lenahen and Farland Clark officiating. Reception to follow at Preston Road Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219 or a charity of your choice, preferably one that supports conservative values.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Hunter family.
IN THE CARE OF
Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park