Fredric Dean Ziegler

Fredric “Fred” Ziegler, aged 85, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on January 19, 2024.  He was born on July 9, 1938, in Kiester, a small town among glacial moraines in southern Minnesota.  Fred was blessed to have played many roles, including that of a husband, father, grandfather, and friend.  He is preceded in death by his mother, Julet Ryg, and father, Archie Ryg, of Rake, IA.  Despite traveling far and wide and often choosing the path less traveled, he loved to return to Rake, a town with one traffic light and surrounded by cornfields.

Fred is survived by a long list of people who loved him, including, but not limited to: his wife of 59 years, Aetok Ziegler; his son, Dennis Ziegler; his daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda Dunfee and Barry Kuehnle; his grandson, Daniel Dunfee; his sisters, Deanna Cotton, Susan Sisk, Rolaine Porter; his sisters-in-law, Agyeong So and Aeyoung Kim; his brother-in-law, Chae Chun Kim, and the people of EREC.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958, he lived by the motto ‘duty, honor, country’ for 24 years.  He dedicated his life to supporting soldiers, serving his last post as the Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Adjutant General School.  As a civilian, he continued to support soldiers as the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center until his retirement at Ft. Knox in June 2012.

In all that Fred did, he was generous, humble, compassionate, honest, and sincere.  He was an inquisitive thinker, open-minded, always curious, especially about technology, history, and space, and carried a bright spark of motivation.  He did not seek the spotlight but was content to work in the background to support those around him.  He had a gentle, kind, and considerate nature and always acted with a light touch.

He will be remembered for his positive, proactive attitude and complete faith in God.  Fred knew that all things were working together for his good.  He was loved by many and will be sorely missed. 

Despite dealing with cancer, heart disease, and then a devastating stroke, his light shone brightly, especially when he was sailing the high seas or singing his favorite classic country tunes with Alexa.  Indeed, he has flown away “to a home on God’s celestial shore,” “a land where joy shall never end.”  

Fred will find his final resting place at the Crown Hill Columbarium Annex, National Cemetery, where he will be entombed on February 20^th at 1PM.