Norman Russel Fred DDS

Norman Russel Fred, DDS, 87, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Munson Medical Center. Norman was born on July 5, 1939, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to the late Jack and Irene Fred. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where he graduated from Henry Grady High School in 1957. He continued his education at Emory University and the Emory University School of Dentistry, graduating in 1963.

Following dental school, Norman honorably served his country from 1963 to 1967 with the United States Public Health Service in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard. He later practiced dentistry in Georgia before returning permanently to Northern Michigan in 1972. For more than 37 years, Norman enjoyed a successful dental practice, where he especially valued the relationships he formed with his patients and the opportunity to care for others.

During his USCG service, Norman was periodically stationed in Traverse City, where he met Jane Aubrey Wilkinson. The two fell in love and were married on June 19, 1966. Together they raised two wonderful children, David Jeremy Fred and Ellen Aubrey Fred.

Norman's commitment to service extended far beyond his dental practice. He was a co-founder of the Traverse City Dental Health Clinic and was actively involved in numerous professional, civic, and conservation organizations throughout his life. He was a member of the Georgia Dental Association from 1967 to 1972 and the Michigan Dental Association beginning in 1972. Norman was a life member of Masonic Lodge 222 of Traverse City.

A passionate canoeist and conservationist, Norman had a tremendous love for Northern Michigan's rivers, forests, and natural resources. He founded the Boardman River Clean Sweep and co-founded the Six River Sweep. He served on the board of the Coalition to Protect the Brook Trout and the Boardman River and was a past board member of the Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He was also a member of the Anglers of the Au Sable beginning in 2016.

Norman didn't simply talk about conservation; he rolled up his sleeves and went to work. He volunteered with the Grand Traverse Conservation District, helped plant hundreds of trees to restore the Boardman River and Brown Bridge Quiet Area, cleared obstacles from the river, and helped clean up illegal dump sites in area forests. Whether canoeing a river, fishing its waters or working along its banks, Norman believed deeply in leaving the outdoors better than he found it.

Norman was also a longtime and devoted member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Traverse City. He participated in youth fundraising efforts, served on the church's Mission Endowment Fund Board and enjoyed spending time with and working alongside the church's retired men's group. His faith and desire to serve others remained important throughout his life.

In his spare time, he enjoyed river paddling, fishing, skiing, reading, playing euchre, sewing, woodworking, and building all manner of things. There was very little Norman couldn't, or wouldn't try to, fix. He loved working on old cars, repairing bicycles, lawn mowers, snowblowers, and was especially fond of tinkering with two-cycle engines and chainsaws. His curiosity, resourcefulness, and willingness to lend a hand were evident in nearly everything he did.

Above all, Norman treasured his family and the life he built with those he loved.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jane of 60 wonderful years; son, David; daughter, Ellen; granddaughter, Evelyn Aubrey Martel; brother-in-law Thomas Wilkinson; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, Dr. Stephen Fred, Dr. Richard Fred, his niece, Toni Fred; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dean and Suzy (Wilkinson) Ringsmuth.

Norman's life was one of service: to his family, his patients, his church, his community, and the rivers and forests he worked so diligently to protect. His legacy will continue in the countless lives he touched and in the Northern Michigan landscape he loved and helped preserve.

Services will be held at 11am on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with visitation starting at 10am. A luncheon will be held after the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church. A private burial at Oakwood Cemetery will follow the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund, and Boardman River Clean Sweep. www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

                                                                           He truly was one in a million.