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Erwin C. Froehlich Pine River, WI QCWA # 22648 Chapter 55 |
During WWII, Erwin served on the USS John Blish and was in attendance at the atomic bomb testing at the island of Bikini. He also served on the USS Duxbury Bay, a flag ship in the Persian Gulf, and the USS Franklin Delano Roosevelt, an aircraft carrier that was in attendance during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In total, Erwin served 22 years in the US Navy, retiring in 1967, as a Senior Chief Electronics Technician.
Later, Erwin graduated from Carthage College, Kenosha, with a BS Degree; a MS Degree, from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, and Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, with a Certificate of Advance Study. He taught high school from 1967-69 at North Chicago High School, North Chicago, Illinois, and from 1969-1987 at Niles West High School, Skokie, Illinois, where he also served as a Night School Supervisor.
In 1987, Erwin retired to Pine River, Wisconsin, where he pursued his many hobbies and followed his avocation to be a "gentleman farmer". There he planted and cared for an extensive garden, tended bees, harvested maple syrup, canned vegetables, jams and sauerkraut, harvested his own ducks and turkeys, and enjoyed making candy.
An avid ham radio operator (call sign W9RZW), a hobby that started at the age of 11, Erwin participated in many ham radio competitions and was ranked in the top 5% of all operators who are able to communicate world-wide. A humanitarian to the fullest, Erwin volunteered for the American Red Cross.
A respected Philatelist and expert on US stamps, Erwin founded "Erv's House of Stamps" in Marshfield, Wisconsin, over 50 years ago. He was an official weatherman for Waushara County for many years. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Oshkosh, Disabled American Veterans, and American Veterans. Erwin had a great passion for learning, a curiosity for life, and a belief that life was an adventure to be lived. He was a quiet, introspective man, who passed these values onto his children. Those children, held him on a pedestal and were in awe of his accomplishments, working multiple jobs during his life, sacrificing to provide all of his children the educational opportunities that he felt were so important.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Erwin's life, will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., in Trinity Episcopal Church, 311 Division Street, with Reverend Steven Powers officiating.