Fred “Freddie” Rehrman, 82, passed peacefully at home on Dec. 18, 2024, surrounded by family. He passed after a six-month journey with sarcoma (cancer).
Born in Watsonville, Calif., Fred spent many of his childhood days playing and helping at his grandma’s ranch outside of town. In 1953, his family moved to a small, close-knit community on Liberty Island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Fred’s father and uncle were among the numerous tenant farmers who grew row crops for Liberty Farms. This rural upbringing was very influential to his life and career.
Fred attended grammar school in Watsonville and middle school in Dixon. He graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose; attended Sacramento City College, where he was on the track and field team; and attended UC Davis and Sacramento State. At UC Davis, he met the love of his life, Martha, and they were married on March 23, 1963.
In 1964, Fred and Martha moved from Davis to Liberty Island, where he joined his father in the farming operation, Fred H. Rehrman & Son. In 1972, Fred and Martha moved to Dixon with their three children – Todd, Fred and Meredith – and lived on the farm. He and his father grew tomatoes, field corn, popcorn, sugar beets, wheat, dry beans, alfalfa and safflower. Fred retired from farming in 1987, but continued working in agriculture until his full retirement and reading ag publications.
While farming, Fred served on ag industry boards and committees. He was also involved with Enchanted Hills/Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Dixon Chamber of Commerce, Dixon May Fair and Dixon Dolphins Swim Team. One of his favorite roles was coaching his sons’ baseball teams with the Dixon Little League and Babe Ruth League for several years. After moving back to Davis in 1987, Fred and Martha served as longtime gardening crew members and plant sale volunteers for the UC Davis Arboretum and as ushers at the Mondavi Center at UC Davis. He also volunteered for the Short Term Emergency Aid Committee (STEAC).
Fred always enjoyed talking with his family and friends about any topic, especially sports. A faithful Los Angeles Dodgers fan, he was thrilled to watch them win the 2024 World Series. In 1979, he joined a fantasy football league started by Dixon friends and was an active participant until his passing. He cherished the frequent lunches with friends at Bud’s in Dixon. He had lifelong friendships with many of the people he grew up with on Liberty Island.
Fred’s greatest happiness in life was his family. He absolutely loved being a dad and papa, and he was incredibly proud of his children’s and grandchildren’s academic, athletic and work accomplishments. An outdoor enthusiast his entire life, Fred enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, snow skiing, water skiing, boating, scuba diving, golfing, hiking and traveling with family and friends. Fred and Martha went hiking as often as possible. They traveled together throughout California and to Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Utah and Washington, D.C. as well as Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Peru and Switzerland. Fred also traveled to Costa Rica, Mexico, New Zealand and numerous Western ski resorts with family or friends.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Marguerite “Marjorie” Rehrman. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 61 years, Martha; son, Todd (Andrea) Rehrman, and their sons, Robert and Stephen; son, Fred Rehrman, and his children, Marcus and Ali; daughter, Meredith (Brian) Ritchie, and their children, Marisa and Brandon; sister, Marjorie (John) Riley; sister-in-law, Connie (Gordon) Field; and four nieces and nephews.
A party in honor of Fred will be held at a later date in Dixon.
