David Michael Frederick

David Michael Frederick (August 2, 1946 – May 6, 2018) was born to Tom and Betty Frederick in Madison, Wisconsin following Sgt. Frederick’s return from the 101st Airborne in Germany.  The family moved to Barrington, IL in 1950.  Dave attended Grove Avenue School and Hough Street Jr. High before Barrington High School, Class of 1964.  In high school, Dave was an exceptional Math and Science student, as well as a quarterback on the football team, and a record setting runner on the track team.  His 1:55.7 conference record for the half-mile stood for 35 years.  He also set a record on the Mathematics Achievement Test.

After Dave started college, as a math major at the University of Wisconsin, he discovered his love for horses.  His whole life was about to change.  Dave changed his major and transferred to the University of Illinois where he earned his DVM degree.  While in vet school, he also had five horses in training at the nearby racetrack.  David “Doc” started his own solo equine practice in Barrington, IL.  He stayed up countless nights keeping sick horses company because he believed you should never leave a sick horse alone.

Dave married Julie Hunckler on September 2, 1978 at St. Anne’s Parish in Barrington. Dave and Julie were completely immersed in the Barrington Hills Horse Community.  He drove many brides and grooms to their weddings and pulled caskets for funerals with Julie’s horse.  He volunteered countless hours to many boards and horse organizations.  He helped found HARPS (Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society) in northern Illinois, and taught a horse health course at the community college for many years. 

In 1987 their first son was born.  They eventually stopped training racehorses and started training children.  Even as small babies Dave would take the children on his vet calls when his flight attendant wife was out of town.  He was a great father to three wonderful children.  There was never a job too big that he couldn’t do for his friends.  He is the author of the soon to be released book, The Laminitis Bible.

 Dave’s health declined in the years following two heart surgeries, when lung issues also developed.  He passed away in his sleep with his family at his side.  Dave is predeceased by his grandson Maximus Gildea. He is survived by his loving wife Julie, son Andrew (Attorney in Greenville, SC) and his wife Clara, Tommy (USAF Pilot in Columbus, MS), and daughter Roseanne (Delta Flight Attendant) and her husband Jake in Clarksville, TN, as well as his mother Betty Frederick in Naples, FL, brother Tom and wife Kathy in Denver, CO, sister Bonnie and her husband Ron in W. Des Moines, Iowa, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws across the country.

Funeral Mass, Burial, and Celebration of Life for Dr. David M. Frederick, Monday, May 14th 2018 10:30a.m.  Funeral Mass to be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 180 Laurel Avenue,Tryon, NC 28782 conducted by Father Roger Arnsparger, V.E. Pastor. Burial and Reception to follow Fixture: Frederick’s Field 55 Stone Cottage Lane, Landrum, SC 29356, 1:00p.m. Ms. Beth Blackwell will kick-off the celebration of life (party) by the blowing of “Gone Away.”  Please join us in celebrating David and his lifelong love of horses.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:  Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or Ronald McDonald House, 2144 Fairfax Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Michael Frederick, please visit our floral store.