Fred H. Isaack

Fred H. Isaack, 77, passed away on April 25, 2024, in Pueblo, Colorado. He was born on June 23, 1946, in Shanghai, China, to Kurt Philipp Isaack and Elisabeth (Dietsch) Isaack. His parents fled to Berlin, Germany, in 1939, just before World War II, finding refuge in Shanghai, which was then the only open port in the world with an established Jewish community.

During their time in Shanghai, the Japanese occupation forces interned the entire community in a camp. Sadly, his father, Kurt, passed away in 1948, leaving Elisabeth to care for their four surviving children. The following year, the family secured passage to the United States, eventually settling in Newark, New Jersey. Fred gained U.S. citizenship at eight and celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at 13.

Fred and his mother later moved to East Los Angeles, California, where he graduated from John Marshall High School in 1965. Two years later, he earned an Associate of Science in Aircraft Mechanics. In 1968, Fred joined the Army as a Turbo Helicopter Mechanic, serving in Vietnam. He attained the rank of SP5 and was honorably discharged on February 1, 1974.

On April 1, 1972, Fred married Rebecca. They had two daughters, Katrina and Rachel, and one son, Fred. Fred and Rebecca also had an adopted son, Jordan. Fred began his teaching career in Michigan before securing a position in Gillette, Wyoming, in 1982. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a Master’s in Education from Lesley University. Fred taught at Sage Valley Junior High in Gillette from 1982 to 1998 and at Campbell County High School from 1998 to 2013, primarily in the Special Education Department.

During his teaching career, Fred worked as a security guard at Campbell County Memorial Hospital and later at the YES (Youth Emergency Services) House. He and Rebecca were also dedicated foster parents, fostering over 20 children.

In 2000, Fred received the "Ten Who Made a Difference" award for his work with children in Campbell County. He was recognized as the Educator of the Year in 2003 and featured multiple times in the Cambridge Book of Who's Who. Fred and his family actively participated in Gillette Foursquare Church and the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Gillette, Wyoming.

A proud American, Fred won many awards for his patriotism and was a lifetime member of VFW Post 7756 in Gillette and the 1st Cavalry Division Association. He also served on the Salvation Army board and was active in local politics. An avid traveler, Fred visited every U.S. state, Canada, Mexico, Japan, China, Germany, Western Europe, and the Caribbean. He loved sharing slides from his adventures.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Kurt and Elisabeth Isaack, and his siblings: Rosemarie Decker (of Berlin, Germany), Marion Isaack (in Shanghai), Joachim (Joe) Isaack, and Ingrid Bisso. He is survived by his sister, Lisa MacVittie of Cincinnati, Ohio; his children: Katrina (Bret) Orton of Pueblo, Colorado; Rachel (Casey) Ferrell of Laramie, Wyoming; Fred A. (Sarah) Isaack of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Jordan J. Isaack of Billings, Montana; his grandchildren: Zane, Kyria, Markos, and Jordan; his former wife, Rebecca Cliburn of Russellville, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews, including Ken Hampton of Gillette, Wyoming.

A burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Mt Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, Wyoming.