Frederick A. Ganter ’51

Frederick Albin Ganter passed away on January 3rd, 2021 in Hampstead, North Carolina, surrounded by his loving family. He was 91 years old.

Mr. Ganter, who was known as “Fred”, was born on June 13, 1929, the son of Wilhelmina (Issler) and Frederick Ganter. He grew up in Union, New Jersey, and attended Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine. Following his graduation in 1951, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Barbara (Stein), to whom he was a life partner for almost 70 years. Together, they raised their five daughters in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, before retiring to Marco Island, Florida, and Hampstead, North Carolina.

He served in the Merchant Marine and the US Navy, and following his discharge began what would be a long career in marine engineering and sales. In 1971, he was hired as manager of the New York office of Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock (Norshipco), headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and eventually became Vice President of Sales. In his over 20 years with Norshipco, Fred developed a broad customer network with merchant ship lines and shipyards throughout the world. His success was built on a foundation of honesty and integrity, but it was his engaging personality and obvious love of people that turned so many business relationships into lasting friendships. He maintained ties with Maine Maritime Academy and held memberships in The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and the Society of Marine Port Engineers. Following his retirement from Norshipco, he remained active in the marine industry, including a close working relationship with Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Fred’s business required significant travel within the US and abroad and on many trips, he was accompanied by Barbara. Together they saw the world and, with friends and family, continued to travel extensively well into their retirement. He also had a lifelong passion for golf, which figured prominently in both his business and private life, and he was a long-time member of Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, New Jersey. While Fred always enjoyed a little competition, it was the social aspect of golf that made it such an important part of his life, resulting in many friendships, and endless stories.

While Fred had a long and successful business career, he would want to be remembered most for his faith, his humility, his respect for people and his boundless love and devotion to Barbara, their five daughters, and their extended families, including 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren to whom he was known affectionately as “Poppy”. He and Barbara complimented each other perfectly and together they made a positive impression on just about everyone they met.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Stein) Ganter; daughters Ellen Koup and her husband Robert, Jane Storer, Ann Quade, Christine Jones and her husband Christopher and Sarah Hess and her husband Kurt; grandchildren Nicholas Koup and his wife Lauren, Lucy Koup, Delia Storer, Joshua Ganter, Tyrus Quade and his wife Bridget, Sean Quade, Caitlin Curtis and her husband Charles, Abigail Gutowski and her husband Rory, Benjamin Jones, Maxwell Hess, Olivia Hess, Madeline Hess; and great-grandchildren Mia Ganter, Aaron Diaz, Julian Quade, Hazel Curtis, Ian Gutowski and Tripp Gutowski.

Interment will be in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where his extended family will celebrate his memory and an exemplary life, well lived. Arrangements for a memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Please leave online condolences at www.andrewsmortuary.com