Frederick George Von Huben

Fred Von Huben, 92, a retired attorney who practiced law in Santa Fe New Mexico, and Fort Worth Texas, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2011 with his son at his side. Fred had resided in Littleton since 2005, first at RiverPointe Senior Community, then at a private assisted-living home. ""He loved to listen to Patsy Cline, Harry Belafonte and the Kingston Trio,"" recalls his son, Paul Von Huben of Littleton. ""He would strum the guitar and sing their hit tunes. Some of my favorite memories were listening to him sing, 'Day-O' by Harry Bellafonte and Patsy Cline's 'You Belong To Me.' He had a very distinctive voice."" Right up until his 90th year, Fred was healthy and quick-witted. He enjoyed long walks in the park, visits to the art museum, watching sports on television and reading literature and poetry. ""On our frequent visits to restaurants, Fred would often surprise our server by quoting classical (and not so classical) poetry, sometimes a bit risque, but always in good taste,"" recalls his daughter-in-law, Shere Chamness of Littleton. ""Fred didn't give advice,"" remembers Paul, ""he just led by example."" Born on December 4, 1918, to parents Adolph and Margaret (Jacob) Von Huben, Frederick George Von Huben grew up with his two sisters in Chicago during the tumultous years known as ""Prohibition"". His stories from that period often referred to being sent up the street to obtain ""growlers,"" or pails of beer for his older male relatives. Beginning in 1936, he attended several colleges, including Chicago Christian College, Wilson Junior College, then Cornell College in Mt Vernon, Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1940. Fred enlisted in the Army on June 18, 1942, studying radio in the U.S. Army Signal Corps before being shipped overseas to spend time in England, North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. He worked as a Cryptographic Technician, responsible for decoding messages during the hostilities in Europe, then in higher headquarters after the war was over. After being honorably discharged in November 1945, Fred briefly attended Northwestern University in Chicago before marrying Helen Angeline Hounchell on July 16, 1949. Helen wrote articles about financial well-being and homemaking for a large consumer loan company. In addition, she was a fine artist. In 1950 Fred embarked upon a career in the legal profession, first attending Chicago's DePaul University College of Law for two years. Late in 1951, the couple moved to New Mexico, where Helen began to paint many beautiful Santa Fe landscapes over the years. She also created watercolors and oil paintings of scenery from their travels around the country together. She was a master seamstress and tailored most of her own clothing, as well as crafting her own jewelry. In Albuquerque, Fred earned the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Mexico in January 1953 and went to work for the firm of Watson, MacIntosh and Watson (later Watson & Watson) in Santa Fe until 1957. Their only son was born in Santa Fe in 1955, and Fred proved to be an inspired father, getting down on the floor to play ""growly-bear"" with his young son and taking him on hiking expeditions on the mountain behind their house almost every day after work. In September 1957, Fred was appointed Attorney for New Mexico Public Service Commission in Santa Fe, where he worked on civil cases until the end of 1964 when he accepted a position with the Community Public Service Company in Fort Worth, Texas. He moved his family in December of that year and became Assistant Secretary for the company. Acting as attorney for the Public Service, he was licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court in Washington DC. Fred enjoyed many years as a well-respected member of the Texas Bar. He retired from the Public Utility on July 31, 1987 after 23 years of service When his wife was diagnosed with cancer in 1980, Fred became Helen's devoted caretaker for the next eleven years until she passed away in May, 1991. Fred never remarried. He moved to Littleton in 2005 to be near his son. ""Fred was a man of old-fashioned integrity,"" says his daughter-in-law. ""He committed his one and only crime in 1952 by going overtime on an Albuquerque parking meter. He pleaded guilty and paid a one-dollar fine, after which he vowed to clean up his act and go straight. From that day forward, he never again ran afoul of the law -- not even so much as a traffic ticket!"" In addition to his son Paul Von Huben and daughter-in-law Shere Chamness of Littleton, Colorado, Fred is survived by two sisters: Grace Schultz of Orland Park, Illinois, and Dorothy Stone of Iowa City, Iowa; a nephew: Tim Stone (and wife Donna) of Albuquerque, NM; three nieces: Linda Schultz of Oak Park, Illinois and Mary Ann Schultz of Ottawa, Illinois, Judy Levitt (and husband Phil) of Iowa City, Iowa; a grand-niece: Jeannie Burke (and husband Chris) and two great-grand-nephews: Vaughn and Peter Burke of Carlsbad, California. Fred is also survived by sister-in-law Martha Hounchell of Bridgewater, Virginia. His family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Pamela D. Wilson of The Care Navigator for helping us find such a wonderful end-of-life arrangement. In addition we wish to send our warmest appreciation to his tireless and patient caregivers, including Raquel, Virginia, Anu, Elsie and others, with special thanks to Colorado Community Hospice. Should friends desire, memorial donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, where Fred was a member for many years. ""A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom."" -- Robert Frost