Obituary of Fred Birdsall

Edwin Fred Birdsall, age 93, born March 9, 1927 in Madrid, Iowa to Edwin and Kathryn Birdsall, died on January 19, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

Fred is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Edith; daughter, Holly Birdsall (Tim); brother-in-law, Edmond Pelta; daughter-in-law, Corlin Birdsall; niece Frances Boyce (David); nephew Norville Ritter (LaDonna); niece, Jennifer Ritter; and cousin, Elizabeth Shearer.

Fred and Edith married on December 7, 2006 and moved to Houston, Texas shortly thereafter.

Fred graduated from the Colorado School of Mines where he earned his PhD in geophysics. Fred was employed as a geophysicist with Conoco Oil for more than 30 years, a career that took him overseas, mostly to Africa and Europe.

Fred loved the outdoors and was considered a nature lover. Early on, he earned his Eagle Scout and, with the Sea Scouts, his Quartermaster. Fred was also an avid hiker and a master gardener. He did volunteer work in a wide range of projects, and taught and inspired others.

Highly skilled at handicraft, Fred liked wood-working. It started with some pieces of furniture and culminated in the building of a ketch, a two masted sailboat, “Zabidi”.

He took much joy in traveling, and he and Edith explored both the United States and the world. Reading, artwork and writing were among his favorite pastimes.

Fred was kind and loving, always optimistic; he was friendly, affable, honest, strong and brilliant, yet shy and humble. The most wonderful person and a true inspiration.

A funeral service honoring the life of Fred will be held at 12:00 noon, Tuesday, January 26, 2021. The service will also be livestreamed for the benefit of anyone who may not be able to attend in-person.

Memorial contributions, if desired, can be made “In Memory of Fred Birdsall” to The Nature Conservancy (https://www.nature.org/en-us/membership-and-giving/donate-to-our-mission/other-ways-to-give/honor-and-tribute-giving/ or by phone, 1-800-628-6860).