Kenneth J. Fredricks, 78, of Des Plaines, a retired Des Plaines police sergeant and longtime Santa Claus for the city, was a quiet man dedicated to the community and children, said family and former colleagues.
“He touched the heart of our city in so many ways, as a police officer, as Santa, as the city treasurer,” said Des Plaines City Clerk Donna McAllister.
Mr. Fredricks died Wednesday, Sept. 26, in Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge from kidney failure and congestive heart failure.
“He took everybody into his fold, especially young people,” said his daughter-in-law Gayle.
Mr. Fredricks joined the Des Plaines police force in 1953. Two years later he founded the Des Plaines Police Boys Club, an athletic and service club, with former Police Chief Leroy Alfano.
“He had a great idea. He wanted to make sure the kids had something to do after school and that we had a good rapport with them,” said Sgt. Mike Krueger. In 1989 the club’s name was changed to the Police Youth Club, and its membership has since expanded to about 200 young people.
In 1969 the department promoted Mr. Fredricks to sergeant, and he headed the youth division until his retirement in 1981.
During the late 1950s he started dressing as Santa Claus for departmental holiday gatherings.
He eventually became the Santa Claus children visited in downtown Des Plaines.
“He was the kindest man and made a point to find out stories about the kids before they visited,” Krueger recalled.
It was not uncommon for Mr. Fredricks to make house visits to doubting or sick children, said his son, Kenneth.
Mr. Fredricks played the role until the late 1990s.
In 1985 he ran for city treasurer and served until 1997, when the position was eliminated. Mr. Fredricks, who thought the position was largely ceremonial, supported the 1996 referendum issue that dissolved the office, McAllister said.
Born in Chicago, Mr. Fredricks moved to Des Plaines with his family when he was in his teens and graduated from Maine East High School in Park Ridge.
Mr. Fredricks served in the Navy in the Pacific theater from 1942 to 1946.
Upon his return to Des Plaines, he drove a truck for a milk company and for Motorcoach Industries in Des Plaines. A few years later he was called to serve in the Korean War.
After that war he worked for Motorcoach before taking the police exam.
After retiring from the police force, Mr. Fredricks worked as head of security at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines until 1993.
He is also survived by his wife, LaVerne; daughters Sharon Holthouse and Christine Bieruta; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday in Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Ave., Des Plaines. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home.
