Fred was baptized at the Federated Church in Columbus, Nebraska. The family moved to Fremont, and Fred graduated in 1953 from Fremont Senior High School. He attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, where he was awarded the prestigious Hensley Memorial Award for his art and earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration in 1957. While attending Grinnell College he created a 'player piano' by placing vacuum cleaner parts into a piano. He was very creative and started his first company in 1957 called ''500'' Industries, Inc. with only $300 and a typewriter, which sold minibikes and go-cart kits. He was married in March of 1964 to Blondina (Goeller) and they have three children.
In the mid-1960s he founded Bird Engineering which produced motorized go-carts, scooters, mini-bikes, mini-dune buggies, and three-wheeler recreational vehicles for large customers including Sears and Montgomery Ward. Fred was a free spirit and did what he loved, which was envisioning, creating, building, and selling all types of products. His early endeavors focused primarily on products having wheels. In the 1980s, he established Bird Corporation which sold gasoline-powered and electric-powered mini-cars, pedal cars, and radio control cars for promotional purposes to major soft drink, snack food, fast-food restaurant chains, petroleum, and automobile manufacturing companies among others. In 1996, Fred founded SignEx, a local sign shop in Elkhorn, Nebraska. Fred's later focus was to help his son, Dusty, run the Sign shop and did so up until the age of 85. In his spare time, Fred liked to consult local business owners and brainstorm ways to increase their sales.
Fred was an incredible artist, oftentimes sketching his new product ideas on napkins at local restaurants. In his free time, Fred enjoyed playing the piano (by ear), skiing, flying small airplanes (commercial pilot), riding motorcycles, attending family celebrations and Husker football games, dancing, and listening to live music. He was a highly social person, and was ever the optimist, always eager to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with others. He attended Brookside Church and enjoyed the friendships made there. He will be remembered for his creativity, kindness, generosity, and his sense of humor.
Fred is survived by his children Rocklyn (Kristine) Schweser of Omaha, Dixene (Bryan) Reinecke of Elkhorn, and Dustin Schweser of Elkhorn, grandchildren, Derek and Grant Schweser, and Morgan and Brooke Reinecke, as well as his sister Barbara (Hal) Smith, and brother Robert Schweser. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private funeral service will be held for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lutheran World Relief.
Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(2)
Fred Franklin
Omaha, NE Wednesday, June 5, 2024 I always loved the great advice Fred gave me about business. Helped me a lot. I'm so sorry and he will be missed.Angela
Omaha, NE Tuesday, June 4, 2024 “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” -KJVGod bless you and keep you my friend.