John Fred (“Fritz”) Kilmer, a Poughkeepsie Resident, Dies at 80

John Fred ("Fritz") Kilmer, 80, of Poughkeepsie, NY passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Born on April 3, 1937 in Sellersville, PA, he was the son of Calvin Z. and Margaret Lewis Kilmer. Fred had served in the United States Air Force from 1956-1960. On May 20, 1961 he married Margaret M. "Peggy" Thomas at the N. Wales Baptist Church in N. Wales, PA and she predeceased him on November 25, 2013.
Fred was a Manufacturing Engineer at IBM's East Fishkill facility and
later an Advisory Engineer and an Engineering Manager at IBM s Kingston
plasma display manufacturing facility. After retiring from IBM, Fred
joined his friends George Gries, Everton H. Henriques and Jim Kehoe as a
Process Engineer at Plasmaco. Plasmaco later became Panasonic Plasma
Display Laboratory of America, where Fred played an important role in
the development and subsequent manufacturing of the first full color
60-inch HD plasma display television in the world in 1999.
He was known for his tenacious approach to problem solving, generosity,
integrity and exuberance for life. He loved music, dancing, collection and restoration of antiques and classic cars. Fred was a member of the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church and served on several church committees.
He comforted and guided those in distress and was a sounding board for
many. Along with his wife Peg, he created a beautiful life for his
family and community of friends and family he "adopted" along his path.
In his childhood, he knew what it was like to do without. As an adult he
did his very best to contribute to those in need.
Fred was pre-deceased by his best friend, love of his life, and the woman that guided him on his journey to faith Peg Thomas Kilmer. He is survived by his two daughters and their spouses; Heather A. Kilmer and Leo Gaylord of Niskayuna, NY and Linda M. and Robert Bertolozzi of Hyde Park, NY. Also surviving are his brothers Don Kilmer of St. Augustine, FL and David (Vilma) of Ormond Beach, FL., as well as his sisters Shirl ( John ) Maxwell of Lansdale, PA, Margaret Shelly of Greenlane, PA., his grandchildren Christopher, Allison, Rhiannon and Gillian, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by his sisters: Jean Gillespie, Mary Burke and a brother: Gerlad Kilmer.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 from 4:00-8:00pm at the Wm. G. Miller & Son Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 10, 2017 at 11:00am at the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church,2381 New Hackensack Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY and burial will follow in the Wappingers Rural Cemetery, Wappingers Falls, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in his honor to
Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church, Dutchess Outreach and Mid Hudson
Love Inc. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com