Feb. 15, 1920 -- Aug. 13, 2003

Fred Biggs was born on South Bend's old east side. He was the third child of seven born to Ross and Helen Biggs. He had two older sisters, Mary Grace and Phyllis; and four brothers, Ross Jr., Tom, Patrick and Don. Fred attended St. Joseph's grade school and South Bend Central High School. He graduated from Central in 1939. He enrolled at Notre Dame in 1940, but was soon drafted for the war effort. Because of the effects of childhood polio, he was released from the Army and went back to Notre Dame. He graduated with a degree in business management in 1945 and went to work for the Studebaker Corporation in the export division.

In 1946, Fred met and married Erma Amm of North Liberty, Ind. They settled in South Bend, Ind., and raised three children, Fred Jr. of Oceanside, Calif., Bonnie who lives in Lenexa, Kan., and their youngest, Terry of Zionsville, Ind. They have a total of eight grandchildren.

Fred worked for Studebaker until the company's departure from South Bend. In 1964, he became the head golf professional at the Studebaker Golf Course. There he worked tirelessly to help bring golf to thousand of young people and beginners. During the summer he would be at the course by 6:30 and would rarely leave before 9. Many of South Bend's successful junior golfers remember their start with Fred at Studebaker. After leaving the golf course in 1978, he worked as a buyer for the Tepe Company. After retiring from Tepe's, Fred was the starter at Eberhart Golf course in Mishawaka, Ind. There he renewed some of the relationships that were born at Studebaker many years before.

Fred was an active member of St. Matthew's Parish. There he served the Holy Name Society, was a money counter for collections and was a faithful member of the Loyal Order of the Hibernians, an Irish heritage and service organization. He also served as the parish president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, helping to distribute food and clothing to the needy.

Fred is survived by his wife, Erma of 57 years, his three children, Bonnie (Steve) Travis of Lenexa, Fred J. (Mary) Biggs Jr. of Oceanside, and Terry J. (Patty) Biggs of Zionsville; eight grandchildren, Karina, Jordan, Tom, Hayley, Stephen, Andrew, Hannah and Bryan; many nieces and nephews; and two brothers, Patrick (Teresa) of South Bend and Don (Sarah) of Albany, N.Y.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, in St. Matthew Cathedral at 1701, Miami St., South Bend.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, in the McGann Funeral Home, University Area Chapel, 2313 E. Edison Road, South Bend. A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Rev. Michael Heintz will celebrate.

Memorial contributions maybe given to St. Joseph County Right to Life, 320 N. Lafayette Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601, or St. Vincent DePaul Society, 1701 Miami St., South Bend, IN 46613, or the charity of your choice.