Celebrating Fred Rummell
As many of you may know, Fred Rummell, one of our longtime residents and an overall good guy, passed away last Wednesday, March 23.
Fred leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Elvi; their son, Mark; Mark’s wife, Jennifer; his beloved grandson, Charlie; brother George Rummell and wife Dorothy; and his sister-in-law, Lillie Rummell.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Elizabeth Rummell and brothers Regis, Bob, and Ray.
Fred was born in Pittsburgh, PA and grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania in and around California, PA. He graduated from California (PA) Community High School in 1957. He served in the US Army from 1960-1962 in the 4th Armored Division, spending most of his enlistment in Germany.
Fred moved to New Mexico, where he met his future wife, Elvi, who was then a foreign exchange student from Paraguay at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Fred and Elvi were married in September (civil in the USA) and October (church in Paraguay) of 1965. They both graduated from UNM, Fred in Civil Engineering and Elvi in Education.
After graduation, Fred joined Bechtel in 1970. Their first assignment was in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where their son Mark was born. 36 years with Bechtel resulted in 30 moves for Fred and Elvi. They lived in Puerto Rico, Indonesia, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, and eleven US states. Fred retired in 2006.
After retirement, they split most of their time between their homes in Houston and Paraguay.
Fred was an enthusiastic traveler and has been to around 50 countries on 6 continents, and almost all US states. He was an avid tennis player since playing on the tennis team in high school and was playing until shortly before his death.
Fred was involved in his community all his adult life. Wherever he was, he was doing things to help others. He was a generous and humble man, and much of his good works are known to few. He has worked at schools, at churches, with immigrants, with the blind, the illiterate, the elderly, and the needy of all kinds.
More than anything, Fred’s time was focused on his family. He was utterly devoted to Elvi, and an attentive and loving father to Mark. Fred never accepted single status work assignments that would have separated him from his family. His grandson, Charlie, was the delight of his later years.
Funeral Arrangements for Fred are as follows.
Monday, April 4, 2022
10:30 AM – Funeral Mass
St. John Vianney Catholic Church
625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079
11:40 – Burial followed by reception
Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery
13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to these causes long supported by Fred and Elvi.
He is survived by:
Wife: Elvira Rummell
Son & Spouse: Mark Rummell & Jennifer Rummell
Grandson: Charlie Rummell
