Fred Krauter passed away peacefully on July 24, 2010 after a short illness. He was born May 15, 1917 in Bucyrus, Ohio, the second of Harry and Esther Krauter's eight children. In 1925 the family moved to Bakersfield and eventually bought a farm near Arvin. Fred graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1935. He joined the army in the fall of 1941 and was posted to the 815th Aviation Battalion of the Corps of Engineers. He participated in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. After his discharge from the army, he married Mary McClure on September 20, 1945. He began farming with his father and brothers and eventually purchased land of his own. In 1948 he and Mary built a house on the farm and raised their daughter and three sons. Fred remained there until Mary's death in 2006 and later moved to San Joaquin Gardens in Fresno to be near two of his sons. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Scott and Virginia Krauter of Fresno, Gordon and Polly Krauter of Livermore, Becky and Howard Kovarsky of Spokane, Washington, and Charlie and Cheryl Krauter of Clovis. He also leaves six beloved grandchildren and four cherished great-grandsons. Fred and Mary led full lives apart from their vocations of farming and teaching. They were pillars of the Arvin Union Congregational Church, faithfully serving in a variety of roles not only at the local church but also with the regional and national organizations of the United Church of Christ. After retirement they were active members of both the 60+ Club and the Rose Society of Kern County and were instrumental in establishing the Stiern Rose Garden on the campus of CSU Bakersfield. Fred attended many army reunions and helped organize several of them including one to commemorate the 815th at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. Fred was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, and friend. All may take comfort in the fact that he remained a vigorous and interested citizen of his world until just before his peaceful passing. His lifetime of faithful service to God, his country, and his fellow man will be remembered always with deepest respect and love. A memorial service will be held at the Arvin Union Congregational Church, 500 Campus Dr. Arvin, CA, 93203 at 11 am on Monday, August 9. Memorial donations can be made in Fred's name to the Arvin Union Congregational Church or the College Community Congregational Church, 5550 N. Fresno St. Fresno, CA, 93710 or a charity of the donor's choice.