Fred Ristow

Frederick “Fred” Ristow, 88, of Wimauma, FL, passed away peacefully at home with all his family by his side on April 20, 2020 after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Fred was born in 1931 in Cleveland, OH. He graduated from West Technical High School in Cleveland, OH in 1949. He served in the Army during the Korean War as a Chaplain’s Assistant with a rank of Corporal while stationed in Dexheim, Germany.

His career was spent working for The Sherwin-Williams Paint Company at their Headquarters in Cleveland, OH. During his 42-year career with the company, he rose through the ranks starting in Security and retiring as Director & Vice President of Logistics. He was known to have gotten his colleagues to hold hands around the conference table during meetings to aid in facilitating consensus between groups. He said he got more important work done after-hours sharing a glass of wine with his colleagues at the Vault Bar in the Terminal Tower than he did during the regular workday. He impacted many of his colleagues lives through mentorship, empowerment and giving people a chance to succeed. Fred began his college education at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ but completed with his BA and Executive MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, OH at age of 53. His career at Sherwin-Williams and the relationships he made with his fellow colleagues were some of the most cherished relationships of his life. His loyalty to Sherwin-Williams extended past his retirement and he continued to promote use of Sherwin-Williams paint to all of his friends and family.

In 1961, he met Kaye (Charlton) while working at Sherwin-Williams and they wed in 1966, going on to have 2 daughters, Renee (Kurt) Bertschinger of Apollo Beach, FL and Tracey (Tony Lozano) Ristow of Oro Valley, AZ. Fred and Kaye celebrated 53 years of marriage which was filled with travelling, playing golf, helping at the church and hosting get-togethers for family and friends. Their love for each other never-waivered and even as Fred’s illness progressed, Kaye’s care and constant presence provided comfort and security to Fred.

After retiring from Sherwin-Williams in 1994, Fred and Kaye moved to Seabrook Island, SC where Fred took up the game of golf and spent many happy hours on the golf course. He would play a “quick 9” before dinner on many evenings. He volunteered on the Board with the child abuse prevention organization, Darkness to Light in Charleston, SC and also various Seabrook Island HOA boards and the Kiawah/Seabrook Exchange Club.

Fred was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church and he dedicated much of his life to serving in various church leadership positions including Youth Group leader, Sunday School Teacher, Elder, Director of Christian Education and numerous church Boards. He spent many hours each week preparing to teach his well-attended Sunday Adult Bible Class. His faith and the church were important tenets throughout his life.

Fred was a “people person” with a great sense of humor. He was known for welcoming people and making them feel included and part of the group. He took pride in mentoring co-workers and always helped friends in need. He was a gifted communicator and public speaker. Fred loved following the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots. His other interests included horseback riding, reading, flower arranging, fishing, playing Euchere and ping-pong. He believed in standing up for himself and he was known for his persistence when resolving issues. He was a person who looked for the positive even in difficult situations and focused on the good in people. His positive attitude continued after his diagnosis, where he worked hard to maintain his level of function including taking up boxing at age 83.

Fred was predeceased by all of his siblings: Howard Ristow, Robert Ristow and Mildred Beyer. He is survived by his wife, Kaye and daughters, Renee and Tracey.

The family would like to thank LifePath Hospice of Sun City and also caregiver, Dehlia Genovez-Ortiz, for their help and support during his illness. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations to be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org) or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).

Fred had a life well lived and he was a devoted husband and father and he will be greatly missed by his family. Fred was cremated and there is no memorial service planned due to the current public health situation.