'He took care of his flock'

NORWALK — The Rev. Fred Wiechers always was there to help with a kind word and a smile on his face. "He was a good pastor," said Stu Young. "He took care of his flock." Wiechers died on Easter Sunday at home, surrounded by his family. He spent 41 years as a Lutheran minister with his final stop at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Norwalk before retiring. "Thirty years ago my brother (Steve) came back from Chicago with AIDS," Young said. "We sat on the Willard High School steps and he told me he would be here to die. "Pastor Fred was willing to give him communion. I said 'aren't you afraid' and he said 'no. I did this down in Florida.' He took care of me and my brother at the time. "He's quite a guy. I remember one Sunday he was really ill when he started the service then had to finish in a chair. He spoke from the chair. "He had many health issues but he was always upbeat." Wiechers spent 18 years side-by-side with his buddy, Dr. Jim Gottfried, on the sidelines of the Norwalk High School football games. Wiechers was team chaplain and Gottfried was team doctor. More than anything, they were two of the team's biggest cheerleaders as they never lost faith despite the fact the Truckers struggled. "Our hearts at Fisher-Titus are very much saddened by the loss of Pastor Fred," said Dr. Brent Burkey, president and CEO of Fisher-Titus. "He thoroughly enjoyed serving as both a director and secretary for the Fisher-Titus board and we were honored to have had such a great man as part of our Fisher-Titus family. "Fred took great pride in being able to serve the community after his retirement through the various board roles in which he served. We could always count on Fred for his level head, practical guidance and quick-witted humor. We will sorely miss Fred and his contributions to Fisher-Titus and our community." The hospital's flags will fly at half-staff until Sunday in honor and memory of Rev. Wiechers. Denny Doughty, the president of the board, knew Rev. Weichers very well. "Pastor Fred served the Norwalk community in so many ways, he became everyone's minister. He was such a good man, bringing common sense and practical solutions in difficult and challenging times," Doughty said. "He was a dear friend to so many of us in this community. He had the ability, empathy and compassion to hold a special place in all our hearts. Fred's example made us all better because we knew him. He will be missed for his sense of humor coupled with his spirituality and outreach. I was fortunate to work with Pastor Fred on the hospital board and on many committees."