While most kids in the 1950s wanted to be firemen or policemen, Fred wanted to be a writer for MAD Magazine. If that lofty goal failed, his second option was to become an astronaut.
Born in Niagara Falls, baby Frederick Fedrizzi could trace his ancestry to a country in Europe once known as Tyrol. When the family dropped the "zzi" from the end of their last name, forming the tongue twister 'Fred Fedri,' it was no wonder Fred had so many nicknames.
Fred loves to tell stories and episodes of his life to anyone who will listen. Many stories of his early childhood paint a picture of a time when life wasn't so complicated, and analog technology reigned supreme.
During his freshman year at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Fred's English professor valiantly tried to convince him to change majors from Mechanical Engineering to English. Unswayed because of Fred's wish to design houses for the moon, Fred stayed the course, graduating the year the draft lottery became mandatory for military service.
Graduating as the top honor graduate from the UH-1 Helicopter Crew Chief class located in Ft. Rucker, Alabama, he returned to his unit and was promptly assigned as a tractor-trailer truck driver because of the souped-up standard transmission hot rod he drove in civilian life!
Hired in 1972 at Westinghouse as one of the first computer system analysts, Fred turned away from the world of computing to marry Pauline and started work as a project engineer in North Tonawanda, N.Y. With a knack for writing, Fred found himself producing several newsletters. His Engineering Society of Buffalo Unsupported Column articles featured many humorous tales relative to the world of engineering and technology.
His work as a Communications Manager provided a unique opportunity to speak and present at STEM career day activities and Earth Day events. His presentation, "Spaceship Earth Is Now Hiring in All Areas," provides a unique view of our planet and the jobs needed to maintain its operation.
