5/9/1949 – 10/31/2024
Lawrence
The passing of Fredric Neiman Joseph on October 31, 2024 will be illuminated by the life he lived and the love of his surviving family.
Fredric Neiman Joseph was born on May 9, 1949, to Jean Bishop Joseph and Charles Branine Joseph in Wichita, Kansas.
Fred grew up with his two brothers, Alan Joseph and Robert Joseph in Potwin, Kansas. Together with his friends and family, he enjoyed being outdoors on their family farm and the surrounding community. His friends remember him for his kindness and good humor. As a teenager, he attended Cheley Colorado Camps where he was first introduced to his lifelong love of mountaineering and outdoor adventure. During these early years, he introduced his younger brother to the hard won joys of extended backpacking trips and bagging alpine summits.
He graduated from Remington High School in 1967 and attended the University of Kansas along with his friends and brothers. In 1972, Fred married Nancy Knudsen and together they had 4 children. Continuing the Joseph family farm and ranch, Fred worked the pastures and fields strengthening his love for the land and a life spent outdoors. Two of his favorite books were Aldo Leopold’s “A Sand County Almanac” and “Arctic Dreams” by Barry Lopez. Drawn to nature Fred found innate kinship that grew into a strong environmental ethic that guided his life’s work farming and ranching.
His children will cherish the memories he left: the patience gained from tying flies and waiting for the perfect catch, traveling to a rural spot to watch the eclipse or a distant storm cloud, watching the stars on dark nights, hiking in the mountains, attending University of Kansas football games, and fishing with grandchildren.
Fredric Joseph is survived by his children Jack (Mindy) Joseph, Lesli (Doug) Laanui, Sally (Jeremy) Podany, Drew (Katie) Joseph and by his 10 grandchildren including Caroline, Claire and William Joseph, Joseph and Noelani Laanui, James, Jillian and Elizabeth Podany, Luke and Evan Joseph and his two brothers Alan (Diane) Joseph and Robert (Terry) Joseph.
Fredric’s service will be held on Monday, December 9th near his childhood home in Butler County. Additional details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Rocky Mountain Conservancy to continue the protection and enjoyment of the natural world.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com
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