Randall P. Frederick

Sergeant Major Randall (Randy) Patrick Frederick passed away on June 4, 2021. He was 69 years old. He was born November 13, 1951 in Topeka, KS to Walter Henry Frederick, Jr, and Donna Ruth (Benton) Frederick.

Randy married Susan (Sue) Gingrich in on November 18, 1972. They later divorced. The union of Randy and Sue produced two boys, David Frederick (Greg Fox) and Dana Frederick (Teresa). Randy married Amy Lynn (Watkins) Frederick on May 15, 1982, she survives. Randy and Amy had two girls, Leslie, and Kimberly (Jesse Kent). Randy was blessed with five grandchildren, Cleo, Matthew, Caden, Lillian, and Lela, whom he loved very much. He was preceded in death by his parents and Sister, Sandra Kay Olliso. Survivors include his wife, Amy; two sons, David Frederick, Topeka, KS; Dana Frederick, Springfield MO; two daughters, Leslie Stevens, Xenia, OH; and Kimberly Frederick, Topeka, KS. He is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy (Dottie) Clark, and Connie Higbee, both from Topeka, KS, two brothers, Walter Frederick, III, and Allen (Brad) Frederick, both from Topeka, KS and numerous nieces and nephews.

His first job was a Batboy for the Topeka Owls, the minor league baseball franchise based in Topeka, KS. He was raised by a very tough and demanding World War II veteran who expected instant obedience. Because of this, Randy grew up in a very tough environment and didn't express his love through words or affection. He expressed his love through deeds and actions, and he loved his family. He was a 1969 graduate of Shawnee Heights High School in Tecumseh, KS. He was immensely proud to a member of Class number 39, U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy, the premier professional military education institution focused on providing the Army with agile and adaptive senior enlisted leaders.

Sergeant Major Frederick loved cooking and was in the inaugural Boys Foods class at Shawnee Heights High School in the late 1960s. He loved and respected Mrs. Margaret Wiley, his Boy's Foods teacher who inspired him to cook. He enlisted in the Headquarters Company of the 69th Infantry Brigade in 1969 as a cook, and served various positions in the Kansas Army National Guard for over 34 years. His second food service mentor was Sergeant First Class Hugh G. "Jim" Greenfield Jr, who was very much a father figure to Randy, and they had a fond relationship for the rest of his life. Between Margaret and Jim, Randy was destined to serve people through food service, and he loved it.

Of his many positions in life, Randy was the Assistant Fire Chief for the Soldier Township Fire Department. It was one of two full-time Fire Fighter positions for Soldier Township. Fire Fighting was a profession Randy loved. He held this position in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Later on, Randy was a Fire Fighter for the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard at Forbes Field, Topeka, KS. Toward the end of his military career he was responsible for food service operations for the entire Kansas Army National Guard.

When Desert Storm started, Randy asked to be mobilized to deploy. Never having the opportunity to deploy left a professional hole in his life he had a great desire to fill. He always wanted to serve his country by deploying, and felt he would not have fulfilled his obligation of service without it. He made it as far at Fort Eustis VA and ended up teaching food service to new Soldiers who would be cooks. He was disappointed that this hole in his life was not filled.

A few years later Operation Iraqi Freedom kicked off and several National Guard units were deploying and needed manpower. Randy called his younger brother who was the Director of Personnel for the Kansas Army National Guard at the time, and was assisted with a Retiree Recall to fill a position with the 42nd Infantry Division. Randy received his orders and he was off to Iraq when he spent 5 month with the 42nd Infantry Division and another 6 month with 101st Infantry Division. He returned home with a Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Patch he desired so much. His empty hole of service to his country was filled and he was proud. Loving service to his country, Randy was back in the Retired Reserve and shortly after, went right back to Iraq for a few years as a contractor, serving in a different capacity, and later on went to Afghanistan for about a year.

While in Iraq, a niece of an Iraqi translator Randy worked with had died, and was in a hospital morgue and hospital staff would not release the baby. Randy went to the hospital, and with boldness, took the baby's body and went to a Black Hawk helicopter unit to see if they would transport him and the baby to another city so he could get it to the family. The Black Hawk helicopter unit said no. Because Randy was a man that could perform at the highest level and never accepts no for an answer he had respect and influence, even as a contractor. He contacted a General Officer he worked with, who had access to the Black Hawks, told him the situation, and shortly after that Randy was in the air with the baby, delivering it to the family so they could bury her.

Randy was an entrepreneur, owning several different companies throughout the years. His most noted business was Randall P's, a popular restaurant in downtown North Topeka. He employed some of his children and other relatives that went on to food service success. Sadly after September 11, 2001, he closed his restaurant.

Everyone that knew Randy, knew he was a courageous fighter who never quit. His last battle was with colon cancer, fighting for over two years he succumbed to his cancer peacefully in his sleep. Because Randy was a workaholic, he put his work above his health. He didn't get his first colonoscopy until he was 67 years old. He was behind by 17 years. If he were alive today he would tell you, "If you have put off getting a colonoscopy, do it now! Don't wait, it could cost you your life, like it cost me mine."

In lieu of flowers, Randy asked that any memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas National Guard Museum at https://www.kansasguardmuseum.com/contact-us/donations/.

Honoring Randy’s wishes, cremation is planned. A grave side service will be held at 10:30, August 20, 2021 at the Kansas Veteran's Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Rd, Manhattan, KS 66503. Military Honors will be provided by the Kansas Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team.