Fred O. Brauer, 89

Fred O. Brauer, 89, of Missoula, passed away June 25, 2007, of natural causes. Fred was born Aug. 23, 1917, in Butte. His father and mother homesteaded at Divide which is where he lived until the homestead burned down in the early 1920s, forcing the family to move back to Butte. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Bonner, where Fred attended Bonner School and then Missoula County High School, graduating in 1937.

He then went on to the University of Montana where he played football for his beloved Grizzlies from 1937 to 1940.

Before completing his degree, duty called and he was off to flight training and service of his country during World War II. Fred was awarded the distinguished flying cross for his heroic effort in the Battle of The Bulge. His supply mission to the 101st Airborne is widely recognized as a turning point in this epic battle.

Fred returned from the war and entered a career that would make him a legend: smokejumping. This was his true love and he approached it in a head-on, no nonsense fashion. Fred was responsible for training the new recruits, among other things, and often referred to the trainees as 'My Boys.'

Many of the recruits referred to Fred jokingly as 'Good Deal' Brauer. He took his responsibility seriously knowing that his boys would be placed in harm's way on a moment's notice. They were required to be physically and mentally tough just like he was.

Fred was one of the true pioneers of smokejumping and made several appearances on the History Channel and various other documentaries. He ended his 29-year Forest Service career as a technical director for the 'Lassie' television program. He also served as a technical director and fire expert in the motion picture 'Red Skies Over Montana.'

He returned to Missoula in 1963 and built the Lolo View Manor mobile home park with his own two hands. He was very proud of the accomplishment and it served him well through his later years. He loved to work and his project list had no end.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Vera Brauer; his sister, Charlotte Eddleman, of Nampa, Idaho; and his loving wife of 37 years, Harriett Anne Brauer.

Fred is survived by his son, John F. Brauer, and his wife, Kathy, of Missoula; his daughter, Sherry Danielson, and husband, Jim, of Billings; his stepdaughter, Julie Davis, and husband, Craig, of Stevensville; his grandchildren, Tarah and Brett Brauer, Denise and Toby Tripp, Chris Poitras, Scott Wold, Kory and Krista Smith; and many great-grandchildren.

Great men are not born, they are made. Fred was an honest, good-natured, compassionate man that will be adored by his family forever.

Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, June 30, at the Christian Life Center in Missoula. Placement of the urn will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Mausoleum of Remembrance at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by Malmstrom Air Force Base. There will be a reception afterwards at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Fred's name to the Museum of Mountain Flying.