Fred Hobrath Obituary

Fred A. Hobrath

Fred A. Hobrath passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025, in an uncharacteristically peaceful manner after a battle with pneumonia. He was 83.

Fred was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori; and his parents, John and Ljubica.

He is survived by his wife, Jean (Thornsberry); daughter, Susanna; and granddaughter, Lillian; as well as his sister, Shirley (Todd) Leckie; and brother, Helmut (Joan) Hobrath.

Fred was of German and Serbian descent, and his given name, Manfred, was unceremoniously changed upon his arrival to this country.

Born on June 9, 1942, in Zemun, Serbia, Fred immigrated to the United States with his family, living briefly on a farm in Virginia. As a native speaker of Serbian and German, Fred added a third language, English. The family ultimately settled in Cleveland, where Fred attended West Technical High School and discovered a love for engineering. After a broken wrist dashed his hopes of a gymnastics career, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served as an aircraft mechanic. It was there that he met his wife, Jean. Upon his honorable discharge, Fred worked as a machinist, where he forged parts for (among other things) a telescope at the Warney & Swasey Observatory and learned he did not like working nights. He moved his young family to Tiffin, Ohio, where he lived for the rest of his life, having had enough of moving around.

Fred began his design career as a tool & die designer at National Machinery, where he made lifelong friends, enjoyed the yearly family Christmas party, and traveled to Paris and Japan. With characteristic determination, he eventually left the company to build his own successful business, Hobrath Design, Inc.

Fred loved to travel to warm places, drink chilled cabernet, play golf and cards, and fix things. He became a skilled woodworking craftsman, instilling in his daughters the importance of "the right tool for the job" and "measure several times, make a drawing, think about it, measure again and then-if you're sure-make the cut." He also, strangely, loved to mow the lawn.

One of Fred's dreams was to become a pilot, so he earned his private pilot's license and flew his single-engine plane, "N, triple-two five November (N2225N)," until his health no longer allowed him to fly. Jean and Fred became RVers, traveling west and then to Florida, where Fred spent many happy winters away from Ohio. He doted on his granddaughter, adored his dogs (Spike and Charley), and never stopped missing his daughter, Lori. Perhaps they are together now.

Fred did not wish to have a memorial service, and the family is following his wishes. We invite you to share your memories of Fred and funny (or embarrassing) stories about him at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.

If you are so moved, memorial contributions may be made to Seneca County Humane Society.

Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.