Fred William Bateman

FREDERICK WILLIAM BATEMAN1948 ˜ 2022 Frederick William Bateman passed away at home in Vancouver, WA, in late Dec. 2022. He was born in Spokane, WA, on Aug. 2, 1948, to William Howard and Elizabeth Rae (Stroup) Bateman, the youngest of their three sons. Fred graduated from University High School in what is now Spokane Valley, attended Spokane Community College before transferring to Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, where he earned a BS degree in Commerce.Although educated in finance and pursuing a successful career in finance, first as an Auditor for Washington State and later as the Director of Finance for C-Tran in Vancouver, WA, Fred's interests and activities were many and varied. His success came early. At the age of 11, he took on a paper route that later grew to a six-mile route with 160 customers. Around the same time his mother encouraged him to raise bees for their honey. Success was achieved with 200 hives and an active interest in the American Beekeeper Federation of Spokane, including working with Senator Henry M (Scoop) Jackson to pass the Honey Research and Promotion Act of 1968 in Congress.Fred was a stamp and stamp album collector throughout his life and always happy to receive the latest international stamp issue from a myriad countries. He had a variety of short-wave radios, was active in the Spokane Public Radio and would rarely miss listening to live opera performances from the MET. Fred was an active volunteer in Vancouver and Clark County government serving on and as Chair of the City/County Telecommunications Commission and annually braving all kinds of weather to help conduct the Vancouver Annual Trail Count. Collections also included model railroad sets and testing and enjoying many an IPA.Fred's friends mostly remember his selfless assistance to friends in need whether to take care of their dogs and cats when they were unable, attend to their homes while away or just be there to listen. He knew more about his neighborhood through his daily walks and talks along the way than most of his neighbors.Fred is survived by his brother Richard Edwin Bateman and his wife Evelyn, of Bellevue, WA; and predeceased by his parents and brother, James L. Bateman.Donations in Fred's name may be sent to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington online at https://hssw.org/dedication or mailed to 1100 NE 192nd Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98684.

Fred William Bateman

August 21, 1948 - December 26, 2022