David Michael Frederick (Aug. 2, 1946 – May 6, 2018) was born to Tom and Betty Frederick in Madison, Wisconsin, following Sgt. Frederick’s return from the 101st Airborne in Germany. 

The family moved to Barrington, Illinois, in 1950. Dave attended Grove Avenue School and Hough Street Jr. High before Barrington High School, Class of 1964. 

In high school, Dave was an exceptional math and science student, as well as a quarterback on the football team, and a record setting runner on the track team.  His 1:55.7 conference record for the half-mile stood for 35 years.  He also set a record on the mathematics achievement test.

After Dave started college as a math major at the University of Wisconsin, he discovered his love for horses. His whole life was about to change.

Dave changed his major and transferred to the University of Illinois, where he earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree. While in vet school, he also had five horses in training at the nearby racetrack. 

David “Doc” started his own solo equine practice in Barrington. He stayed up countless nights keeping sick horses company because he believed you should never leave a sick horse alone.

Dave married Julie Hunckler on Sept. 2, 1978, at St. Anne’s Parish in Barrington. Dave and Julie were completely immersed in the Barrington Hills Horse Community. 

He drove many brides and grooms to their weddings, and pulled caskets for funerals with Julie’s horse.

He volunteered countless hours to many boards and horse organizations. He helped found HARPS (Hooved Animal Rescue & Protection Society) in northern Illinois, and taught a horse health course at the community college for many years. 

In 1987, their first son was born. They eventually stopped training racehorses and started training children. Even as small babies, Dave would take the children on his vet calls when his flight attendant wife was out of town. 

He was a great father to three wonderful children.

There was never a job too big that he couldn’t do for his friends.  He is the author of the soon to be released book, “The Laminitis Bible.”

Dave’s health declined in the years following two heart surgeries, when lung issues also developed. He passed away in his sleep with his family at his side. 

Dave is predeceased by his grandson, Maximus Gildea. He is survived by his loving wife, Julie; son, Andrew (attorney in Greenville, South Carolina) and his wife Clara, Tommy (USAF pilot in Columbus, Mississippi); and daughter Roseanne (Delta flight attendant) and her husband Jake in Clarksville, Tennessee; as well as his mother, Betty Frederick in Naples, Florida; brother, Tom and wife Kathy in Denver, Colorado; sister, Bonnie and her husband Ron in West Des Moines, Iowa; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws across the country.

Funeral Mass, burial and celebration of life for Dr. David M. Frederick will take place Monday, May 14, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass to be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 180 Laurel Ave. Tryon, North Carolina, with services by Father Roger Arnsparger, pastor.

Burial and Reception to follow at Fixture: Frederick’s Field, 55 Stone Cottage Lane, Landrum, South Carolina, at 1 p.m. Ms. Beth Blackwell will kick-off the celebration of life (party) by the blowing of “Gone Away.”

Please join us in celebrating David and his lifelong love of horses.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043; or Ronald McDonald House, 2144 Fairfax Ave., Nashville, TN 37212.

Condolences may be left at www.pettyfuneralhome.com.

Petty Funeral Home & Crematory, Landrum