Frederick R. Horlacher

Our beloved father, brother, grandfather, teacher, and friend, Fred R Horlacher, passed away on Saturday, September 18th, 2021 at the age of 88 years old.  He was born June 20, 1933 in Ely, Nevada to Fred C. Horlacher and Anna Irene Rassmussen.  He is the oldest of 8 children, 6 boys and 2 girls:  Carol, David, Jim, Ralph, Paul, Joyce and Richard.  He was preceded in death by his brothers Paul and David.  Fred married Jacqueline Joy Hughes in 1956 with whom he shared 6 children: Karen, Fred, Kristin, Neal, Megan and Michele.  His sons Neal and Fred preceded him in death.  After his divorce, Fred married Kathryn Jenkins in the Oakland LDS temple.  Kathy added five more children to his family: David, Anne, Ron, Larry and Beth Jenkins.

In his early years, graduated from the new Reno High School in 1952 where he played football and participated in the speech class.  After graduation he was drafted into the Army and worked two years in artillery supply during the Korean war.  Later he worked for Dodge Construction earning money for college.  This would shape his career for many years to come.  Fred’s college days started at UNR, then continued his education at BYU where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education.

In 1959 Fred began his teaching career in McDermott, Nevada, then taught at Swope Middle School, Truckee Meadows Community College, and Western Nevada Community College.  In 1974, Fred began teaching World and Nevada History at Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada.  It was there that he organized the Ghost Towners Club where he obtained an enthusiastic following.  During his outstanding teaching career, he received many prestigious awards: In 1984, Horlacher was honored with the Washoe County Teacher of the Year award.  The following year he was named Nevada Teacher of the Year, and received the National Milken Foundation Teacher award.  He taught for Washoe County School District for 34 years before retiring in 1994.

Fred was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He was also a temple ordinance worker in the Reno Nevada LDS Temple with his wife.  Later, Fred and Kathryn were called on a 2 year mission for the church, serving in the New York, New York South Mission.

Fred Horlacher was a master storyteller who had the skills to capture the attention of students of all ages.  He was an anchor to his family, and a loving example of leadership to his children, grandchildren and other family members.  He truly lived a wonderful life and will be missed by all he loved.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October9th, 2021.  The viewing is from 9:00 am to 10:45, with the funeral service at 11:00 am at the LDS Stake Center, 2955 Rock Blvd., Sparks, Nevada.  Burial will be on Monday, October 11th at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.