Obituary of Frederick Kurt Schack

A Life Well Lived…

Frederick (Fred) Kurt Schack, 76, of Fairfax, Virginia was born on July 21, 1942 in Santa Monica, California.  He died on September 9, 2018 in Aldie, Virginia after a short, but acute illness.

Fred was born to Herbert and Dorothea (Conrad) Schack and grew up in southern California.  He graduated from San Fernando High School and loved playing different sports.  Following high school graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and served from 1960-1974.  While enlisted in the US Naval Reserves, he got his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Kinesiology and Motor Learning from California State Northridge.

After graduating from college, he was on active duty and served six months in Pensacola, Florida in pre-flight school to become a navigator, two years aboard a ship and a combat tour in Viet Nam.  He spent the last two years teaching as a Naval Officer at the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.  Fred was a highly motivated student, and while finishing his time in the Naval Reserves, he went on to earn his Doctorate in Adapted Physical Education from The Ohio State University in 1975.

Fred retired on June 1, 2018 after 43 years of dedicated service on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.  He cared deeply about his students and worked tirelessly to provide opportunities in the community where his students could acquire the practical experience they needed for well-rounded professional development.

In addition to his professional work teaching and mentoring his students, Fred was a man of many interests.  Physical fitness was a lifelong practice and many remember his longstanding habit of running, exercise, and (mostly) healthy eating.  For many years he was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization.  He loved reading, oil painting, gardening and good humor.  He was deeply committed to his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, his family and friends. 

Fred married the love of his life, Ellen Tyrrell, on January 14, 1989 and together they raised two children, Tristan and Morgan.  They meant everything to him and he loved them dearly.  Fred is survived by his sister Judy Hokanson of Costa Mesa, California and his stepson William (Willie) Young of Santa Clarita, California and numerous brothers- and sisters-in law, nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.   Fred will forever be remembered in our hearts!

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Fred can be made to Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Greater Fairfax North, attn: Laura Bowers) or Adler Center Hospice (www.capitalcaring.org).