Frederick S. Vetterlein, 92, of Camp Hill passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, January 25, 2017.
Born on August 22, 1924 in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Wayne S. and Helen L. (Shelton) Coles. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Wayne and Donald Vetterlein and Alexander Coles.
Fred was a graduate of St. James Academy in Hagerstown, MD, class of 1942. He then joined the US Navy and served as an aerial gunner on a B24 in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After his military service he went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania-Wharton School of Business where he was a member of the soccer team and Zeta Psi Fraternity. Early in his career he served as a sales rep for Gulf Oil and Sun Oil Companies. Fred then started the Vetterlein Firestone Service Company in Norristown. After moving to the Harrisburg area he became the service manager at Cameron Auto VW and general manager at Capital VW/Apple VW.
Fred was past president of the Harrisburg Automobile Trade Assoc. and Co-Founder of the Central PA Porsche Club of America. He found great enjoyment in racing cars and was a member of the Central PA Sports Car Club of America and member of the Pennsylvania Hill Climb Association. Sailing became another hobby and led to many weekends on the Susquehanna River, Chesapeake Bay and during family vacations in Castine, Maine. In addition to volunteering for Holy Spirit Hospital and the Harrisburg Civil War Museum, he was an active member of the Mt. Calvary Episcopal Church and a past vestry member. Spending time with his wife and family was always his greatest joy.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years Julia D. Vetterlein; his five sons, Frederick, Jr. of Boston, MA, David of Shippensburg, PA, Victor and his wife Soeun An of New York, NY, Roy of Camden, ME, and James and his wife Michelle of Landenberg, PA; and four grandchildren, Taylor, Myla, Jett, and Sky
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday February 4, 2017 at Mt. Calvary Episcopal Church, 125 N 25th St., Camp Hill, with Rev. Cannon John S. McDowell officiating. A visitation with the family will precede the memorial service in the church at 10:00 am. Interment will be held following the service in the Mt. Calvary Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Homeland Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 115, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or Mt. Calvary Episcopal Church in memory of Frederick S. Vetterlein.