Alfred Walter “Fred” Kummert, 65, died Dec. 1, 2004, at his home in Oak Harbor. He was born Dec. 28, 1938, in Olympia. Fred was raised in Petersburg, Alaska, where he graduated from high school. He spent several seasons fishing aboard trawlers in the Alaskan waters, before enlisting in the U. S. Navy.

Fred completed basic training at NTC San Diego in February of 1958. He was then sent to Port Isabel, Texas. In September of 1958, he was transferred to the Navy Blue Angels Team at Pensacola, Fla. Fred always considered the Blue Angels assignment the highlight of his military career.

Fred left the Blue Angels in September of 1961 and was sent to VA-146 aboard the USS Lexington and then on to VA-93 at NAS Lemoore. He served a tour at NAVSTA Kodiak, HS-10 at Imperial Beach and the USS Sacramento. In 1970, he was sent to NAVSTA Rota, Spain. He served aboard the USS America (CV-66) and his final tour was at PMOPAC, Bremerton. He retired in 1979 as an AKC (E-7) with more than 20 years of service.

While stationed in Bremerton, Fred visited his brother Gale Kummert in Oak Harbor. They put together a pinochle party and invited guests to play.  One of the visitors was Geraldine “Jerry” Myers. Fred and Geraldine were married in Oak Harbor on April 27, 1979. He accepted Geraldine’s three children as his own.

Following his Navy retirement, Fred attended Skagit Valley College, receiving his associate of arts degree. He then began work for NAS Whidbey Civil Service, first working at main supply and then as a housing inspector.

When Fred retired from civil service, he and Geraldine purchased a motor home and set out to the see the United States. They traveled more than 35,000 miles in three years, visiting all 50 states. Fred enjoyed camping, fishing, crabbing, bowling, and playing pinochle and bridge. Some of his best memories were his trips to Lake Conconully and camping at the Glen at Maple Falls with family and friends.

Fred was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Whitehead-Muzzall Post 7392, the Elks Lodge No. 2362, the Fleet Reserve Branch 97 and the American Legion George Morris Post 129, all of Oak Harbor.

Fred is survived by his wife Geraldine “Jerry” Kummert at the family home, Oak Harbor; by three children and their spouses, James “Steve” Myers and wife Linda of Mountlake Terrace, Karen and Parks Wright and Coleen Brady, all of Oak Harbor; two brothers, Gale Kummert and wife Cristel of Oak Harbor and Darrell Kummert and wife Danalynn of Chugiak, Alaska; and two grandchildren, Kellye Myers of Mountlake Terrace and Randi Vallencourt and husband Justin of Pax River, Md.

Fred requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Memorials may be made to Friends of Home Health, 101 N. Main Street, Coupeville  98239.  Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.