Alfred Andrew "Fred" Eden's Obituary
Alfred (Fred) Eden: Born Alfred Ehrenfreund on April 25, 1923 in Budapest, Hungary, Fred immigrated to New York in January, 1940 at the age of 17. Honored to be an American, the family changed their last name to “Eden”. He was drafted into the Army in 1943 and became a naturalized US Citizen at the convenience of the US Government. His ability to speak Hungarian, German, French, and English made him a perfect candidate to become a member of military intelligence, (OSS). His duties included interrogating German prisoners and working alone in occupied France to establish an “underground railroad” for the return of shot down US Airmen. He also served in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Germany and Belgium earning him a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Belgian and French Fourragere’s and Russian Guard Medal.After the war, Fred earned a BBA Degree from Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He was employed in the housewares field as a Manufactures Representative. After moving to Cincinnati in 1954, he started “Repsco, Inc.” which eventually was renamed ‘The Eden Company’. He retired to Cape Coral in 1995.Fred was an avid boater having owned over 30 boats during his lifetime. He loved to water ski and shared this love with his entire family. He often judged for the American Water Ski Assn. running water ski tournaments in the Cincinnati area. He loved classical music and folk music of all nations. Fred loved to sing, dance and share a laugh with a good joke. Fred wrote a book for his 90th birthday celebration about his war experience called “An Untold War Story” which is available at Amazon.com. Proceeds are donated to the Honor Flight program. Fred traveled on an Honor flight to Washington in 2013.Fred volunteered at SHARE Club of Lee Memorial Health System for many years. He was a Deacon at Faith Presbyterian Church and member of The VFW; Masonic Order, 32nd Degree; Araba Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Benevolent and Protective order of Elks and St. Charles Yacht Club.Fred married Mae Kuchenrither in 1947, and had three children. They divorced in 1959.In September, 1961, he married Betty Merz who was widowed with three children. The blended family resided in Cincinnati, Ohio. Betty passed away in 2007. For the past 7 years, he was in a loving relationship with Patricia Napior of Ft. Myers, FL.Fred is survived by his children: Raymond Merz and wife Judy, Alfred Eden II and wife Karen, Teresa Merz and husband RJ Johnson, Therese Giglio and husband Robert, and Marybeth Schroer and husband Dennis. Grandchildren: Stacey Merz, Cari Chee, Jennifer Diederich, Christine Eden, John Schroer, Cindy Novack, Christopher Eden and 3 Great Grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Betty Eden and son Charles Eden.A Memorial Service for Fred will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Faith Presbyterian Church, 4544 Coronado Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida 33904, (239) 542-2858. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 AM the same day, Thursday, April 30, 2015, at the Cape Coral Elks Lodge No. 2596, 4631 SE 10th Place, Cape Coral, Florida 33904, (239) 549-1508. Military Honors will be provided by the Harney Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post as part of his Memorial Service at the Elks. Fred will be interred alongside his loving wife at a later date during a private ceremony at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 SR 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, (941) 922-7200.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Araba Shriners, 2010 Hanson St., Fort Myers, FL 33901 in memory of Fred Eden.Arrangements for Fred’s final care have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. Those who wish to share a story, offer a tribute or leave condolences for the family are urged to visit Fred’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign the guestbook.
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