Frederick “Fred” James Redwanz of Gallatin, Tennessee, was a family man, NASCAR fan, boat enthusiast, and mechanical engineer. Fred passed away peacefully on March 14, 2024, at the age of 62 after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer.
Fred was born on September 20, 1961, to Neil Edward Redwanz (predeceased) and Beverly Ann (Collier) Redwanz in Saginaw, Michigan.
He attended Trinity Lutheran School and Reese High School, before his family relocated to Decatur, AL, where he graduated from Decatur High School in 1979.
Fred went on to study mechanical engineering at Auburn University. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1984, Fred pursued a career in nuclear energy. In 1987, he earned a senior reactor operator’s license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (N.R.C). He worked in the field for more than three decades, most notably as a senior plant operator for Georgia Power and later in his career, he focused on licensing for the construction of new plants.
Fred oversaw a team of more than a hundred professionals to develop a combined license application for N.R.C. approval. Two of his largest projects, Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 are now operational. It was with great pride that he relayed to his family that the latter commenced operation just two weeks before his passing.
Fred had two children, Amanda Roe of Portland, Oregon, and Jonathan Frederick Redwanz, of St. Johns, Florida.
In 2007, he met the love of his life, Dorothy (DiRienzo-Boland) Redwanz. They lived happily at the lake house together, where they married in 2023.
Fred is also survived by a brother Michael of Rockvale, Tennessee, and two sisters, Wendy Stenglien (Mark) of Frankenmuth, Michigan, and Lorri Oldenburg (Neil) of Bay City, Michigan.
He adored his eleven little grandkids: Brandon, Hazel and Cian, Paige and Allicen, Ava, Allen, Mark, and Aurora, along with Alex and Evan.
Fred also treasured his stepdaughter Megan Marek of Rochester, Minnesota, and four stepsons: Bill Boland (Marlee), of Ocean View, New Jersey, Timothy Boland (Zhanna) of Northfield, New Jersey, Martin Boland (Zheyna) of Absecon, New Jersey, and Robert DiRienzo of Atlanta, Georgia.
Fred had a few unrelenting passions: watching NASCAR, woodworking and being on the water. He spent countless golden afternoons on his boat on Old Hickory Lake with his wife and grandkids. It was on that lake he achieved his lifelong dream of owning a house on a lake.
He also built his own workshop, in which he performed auto and boat maintenance and repairs and crafted custom furniture and toys for his family. He often remarked that he felt most at home in his shop.
Fred was compassionate and often anonymously donated toys and gifts to people in need during Christmastime. With his playful spirit, he captivated his grandchildren, who affectionately called him Toga.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Arraignments for a celebration of life are forthcoming. https://www.sumnerfuneral.com
For more obituaries visit https://sumnercountysource.com/obituaries/
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