Frederick William Cole, 83, died April 8, 2002, at Whidbey Island Manor, Oak Harbor. He was born in Yonkers, N.Y., May 12, 1918, to William H. and Elizabeth (Braner) Cole. He attended Yonkers public schools and graduated from Saunders Technical High School in 1936.

Mr. Cole was trained as a marine engineer and was involved in design, engineering and production of airborne electronics equipment, electric motors, generators, transformers, switchgear, radio equipment and side-looking sonar devices.

Hudson Labs, a Division of Columbia University, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., employed Mr. Cole for many years, in underwater sound propagation studies. Prior to retirement, he was employed as a project engineer in high voltage equipment manufacturing at Universal Voltronics Corporation, Mount Kisco, N.Y.

Mr. Cole was a licensed amateur radio operator for more than 60 years. He was also actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as counselor in the Merit Badge program for New York state. He examined candidates in radio, electricity, marksmanship, oceanography and aviation. He was also an accomplished carpenter, cabinet and furniture maker and gunsmith. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army.

Mr. Cole is survived by three children: William Blaine Cole of Wassaic, N.Y.; Aleksandra of Wenatchee and Beth Bivona of Port Chester, N.Y. He is also survived by four grandchildren Timothy Hough of Westminster, Colo.; Todd Hough of Fort Worth, Texas; Robin Cortese and Christopher Bivona, both of Port Chester, N.Y. Two great-grandchildren: Cori Lynn Hough of Fort Worth, Texas, and Anthony Joseph Cortese of Port Chester, N.Y., also survive. His former wife Marie Ashby Cole of Oak Harbor also survives him. He was predeceased by his first wife Marie Blaine Cole in 1990 and his brother Robert P. Cole in 2000.

Private interment will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.