Frederick James Obold, 86, died July 28, 2026. He was born July 1, 1940, in Reading, Pa., to James Obold and Eleanor Diefenderfer Obold. He graduated from Royersford High School in 1958 and Kutztown State College in 1962. He served his 1-W service in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with Menno Travel Service.
He pursued a master’s degree in education from Kutztown University and taught in Perkasie and Schwenksville School Districts. He received a master’s degree in special education from Western Michigan University in 1967. He was an assistant education professor at Shippensburg State College. Later he was a school psychologist and special education director in the Centennial School District in Warminster, Pa.
Fred was raised within traditionalist Christian churches. Early in his teaching career, he encountered Anabaptists. Through conversation, worship and friendships, realized his expanding understandings of Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection harmonized with Anabaptism, and he became a “convinced” Mennonite.
God called Fred to seminary in 1975. He graduated with a master of divinity degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 1978. He was part of a pastoral team for Hively Avenue Mennonite Church and served as a student pastor with West Zion Mennonite Church and First Mennonite Church of Christian, both in Moundridge, Kan., and Goessel Mennonite Church, also in Kansas. He pastored Bethel Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania and Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church and Hesston Mennonite Church, both in Kansas. He served as interim pastor for Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, Kan. For 17 years he was chaplain for Hospice of Reno County, Kan.
Fred married Ruth Brown on Aug. 24, 1963, in Media, Pa. Their family grew to include children Rebecca and Stephen and grandchildren Matthew, Simon and Cora. After retirement, they moved to Oregon, where they joined Portland Mennonite Church. Fred was an avid gardener and photographer. He had a lighthearted and playful sense of humor, enjoying music and the arts. He nurtured both people and plants. He had a strong faith and led his family and congregations to follow the way of Christ.
