Fred Kolter, 93, Warsaw, passed away at 6:04 p.m. Sept. 19, 2015, at Indiana University Health Goshen Hospital. He was born Nov. 7, 1921, in Chicago, to Fred and Helen Schneider Kolter. He married Fernande Mary Ennis Kolter, who preceded him in death in 2009. They were married for 63 years. He and his wife moved from Oswego, Ill., to Warsaw, in 1993. He served as a U.S. Army sergeant and radar repairman in Europe during World War II. He worked in the computer field when it was in its infancy, and enjoyed a long and successful career with IBM. He started his career on the technical side of the business, with responsibility for repairing, installing and programming mainframe computers. For most of his career, he was responsible for sales and account management for some of IBM’s largest clients. His technical mind and skilled hands allowed him to build and fix almost anything, and he enjoyed challenging himself to create beautiful hand carvings, repair temperamental appliances and remodel homes. He was a superb musician and particularly accomplished on the piano. He enjoyed entertaining his family and friends with a variety of musical styles, from ragtime to sophisticated and challenging jazz. He was also a champion dog trainer, winning numerous titles for obedience competitions sanctioned by the American Kennel Club, including the nation’s highest ranked dog of its breed. He was a passionate and skilled teacher of other exhibitors, and coached other dog trainers for many years. He was known for his quick, dry and often ribald sense of humor. He was a master at succinctly pointing out the hilarious absurdities that life often presents. He was a talented, accomplished, funny, loving man who led a full and exemplary life. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. Survivors are, his four children: Thomas F. (and spouse Nancy) Kolter, Fort Worth, Texas; James A. (and spouse Linda) Kolter, Sanford, Fla.; Susan H. Kolter, Mooseheart, Ill.; William C. (and spouse Pam) Kolter; 11 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held privately. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is entrusted with the arrangements. ***** Memorials to Wounded Warriors. Online donations may be made at the following link: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=170&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS15067&gclid=CNnX8bCAjMgCFVc2aQod22YIbA Condolences via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
