Frederick J. Slack Sr., 90, Treasured His Farm

Frederick J. Slack Sr., of Forest Grove, passed away Oct. 30 at his home on his treasured farm. He was 90. He was the caring and beloved husband of the late Evelyn Froehlich Slack who passed away on November 20, 2012.

Born in Forest Grove, he was the son of the late Miles Bennett and Josephine Kaetzel Slack.

Fred was a farmer, school bus driver, farrier, pilot and a World War II veteran. However, the farm was his life and soul all his life. He loved the farm in spite of all the hard work and long hours. No one understands how a farmer feels about his land except fellow farmers. The Fred Slack Farm was the first farm in the state of Pennsylvania to be put on Farm Preservation by Buckingham Township in 1996. Fred and Evelyn were so proud.

Fred was a member of the Forest Grove Presbyterian Church and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and an avid supporter of Farm Preservation.

Fred is survived by his four children: daughters, Connie, her husband, Jack Evans; Janet, her husband, Garry Sampson; Debra, her husband, Duane Smith, and his son, Frederick J. Slack Jr. Fred and Evelyn also have eight grandchildren including Ryan Evans, his wife, Sherri; Gregory Evans, his wife, Laura; Bradley Evans, his wife, Anna; James McGowan, Joseph McGowan, and Michael McGowan, his wife, Lauren; Frederick J. Slack Ill and Deanna Slack; as well as one great grandchild, Faith Evans. Also surviving are his sisters, Frieda Heston and Marjorie Moorhead. He was preceded in death by a brother, Miles Bennett Slack.

Fred loved the farm and loved baseball. He was an avid Phillies fan. He and Evelyn would spend winters in Port Richey, Florida and would visit the Phillies training camp in Clearwater. They would visit and play "Bonk" with their dear friends Bill and Betty Shackleford and Jim and Suzanne Mourey. Fred is also survived by his life-long respected friends, Ed and Margit Deschamps.

Fred and Evelyn had many friends and customers over the years that would come to the farm year after year to purchase the best tasting tomatoes and corn you would ever eat, as well as just the right pumpkin to carve for Halloween. Fred and Evelyn appreciated all the wonderful words and pictures people have taken of them on the farm over the years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service, 11 a.m., Monday, November 4, 2013 at Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Road, Doylestown where the family will receive guests from 9 a.m., until the time of the service. Interment will follow in Forest Grove Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Forest Grove.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Fred and contributions may be made in his memory to Fred Slack Farm Preservation, c/o 45 Lindsay Court, Mohnton, Pa 19540-9007.