Frederick William Bischoff

Frederick William Bischoff March 12, 1927 - September 8, 2014 Frederick William Bischoff of Houston passed away Monday, September 8, 2014, at St. Dominic Nursing Home. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 11, at Waco Memorial Mausoleum Chapel. Visitation will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 10, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Frederick was born March 12, 1927, in McGregor, Texas, to Frederick and Henrietta Bischoff, Sr. He married Dorothy Pearl Hodge August 23, 1947, in Temple, Texas. Fred "fondly known as GaGa" named so by his favorite granddaughter, Hillary was an inspiration to everyone he met. He conquered polio that he was stricken with at the age of five. Wearing a brace on each leg and using crutches he was determined to become more independent. With much hard work, which included swimming in the creek behind his house, he learned to walk using only a brace on one leg. Around that time his interest in flying blossomed. His favorite saying was "flying put him a little closer to heaven" and he obtained his pilot's license at the age of 17. He purchased his first plane at the age of 19, but that ownership quickly dissolved when he met Dorothy and needed to buy a ring and get married. Fred could build most anything with his hands from heavy woodwork to the most delicate and exquisite jewelry. He was a jeweler and watchmaker for both Armstrong's and Kindler's. He volunteered his time to the March of Dimes and was an active member of the Confederate Air Force. His favorite pastime was flying his plane with Dorothy and visiting Hillary and Kyle in Houston. In turn, Hillary and Kyle loved flying and took many trips with their grandparents. Fred was a member of Austin Avenue Methodist Church. He loved and treasured his family, friends, home and God. He will be missed but leaves a legacy of character, gratitude and perseverance. Whenever asked how he was he always replied, "If I was any better I couldn't stand myself." This positive attitude held and encouraged others even to the end. His family knows he is in heaven flying his plane, riding his lawn mower and eating pecan pie for breakfast. We love you so. He was preceded by his wife, Dorothy; parents, Fred and Henrietta Bischoff; brother, Volney Bischoff; and sister, Lorena Hafercamp. Fred is survived by his daughter, Connie Mae Tomlin and husband, Alan; grandchildren, Hillary Kristen Bennett and husband, Jeremy, and Kyle Curtis Horne and his wife, Christy; step grandchildren, Ross Tomlin and Dalton Tomlin and his wife, Anne; great grandchildren, Kylie Mae Bennett, Lainey Rebecca Bennett and Hudson Curtis Horne; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to St. Dominic Village in Houston, 2401 Holcombe Blvd., Houston 77021. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.