Fred William Holzberger III
February 11, 1942 – October 21, 2024
Fred William Holzberger III, 82, of Dunkirk passed away October 21, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. He was born February 11, 1942, in Washington, DC to Fred William Jr. and Eleanor Henrietta (Wheeler) Holzberger. Fred dedicated his life to serving his community. He joined the Landover Hills Volunteer Fire Department on October 1, 1958, as a junior member and served in every capacity including chief and past president. He graduated from Bladensburg High School in 1960. He married Sandra Marie Berned on March 31, 1962. In 1964 Fred joined the Prince George’s County Police Department and retired in 1987 and worked as security chief for Maryland Racing Authority at Bowie Racetrack. He then went to work for Prince George’s County Environmental Resources. Fred joined the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department on April 4, 1989, and served as president. He was also instrumental in helping build the current fire department. In his free time, Fred enjoyed trains, planes, and fire trucks, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Fred is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Sandra Holzberger, children Fred Holzberger IV (Marguerite), Karl Frank Holzberger, William Robert Holzberger (Laura), Daniel Harrison Holzberger (Patricia), Theresa Lynn Weinelt (James), and Eric Peter Holzberger (Christine), grandchildren Danielle, Alexandra, Fred V, Karl Jr., Jenna, Daniel, Matthew, Miranda, Cameron, Nicholas, Emily, and Ryan, great-grandchildren Riley, Chloe, Shelby, Camden, Ruby, Grady, and Finn and siblings Carol Suthard (Peter), Paul Holzberger (Diane), Susan Holzberger (Sandra), Charles Holzberger (Sheila), and Ellen Lerche (Michael), as well as many “adoptive kids”.
A visitation will be held on Friday, November 1 from 4-9 PM at Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 2 at 11:00 AM at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church with interment to follow in Chesapeake Highlands Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations in Fred name can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
The services for Fred will be livestreamed to the Jesus the Good Shepherd YouTube channel and can be accessed by using the following link https://www.youtube.com/@ccjgs.
Visitation
Friday, November 1, 2024
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department
3170 West Ward Road
Dunkirk, MD 20754
Services
- Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, November 2, 2024
11:00 AM
Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church
1601 W Mt Harmony Road
Owings, MD 20736
Interment
- Burial
Contributions
Parkinson’s Foundation
Parkinson’s Foundation
200 SE 1st Street
Suite 800
Miami, FL 33131
Condolences
Sort Comments
22 Oct 2024
11:30am
Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. We are so thankful we got to share sometime with Fred.
City
Freeport
State
Florida
22 Oct 2024
12:17pm
“Little”Freddy and Sandy’s wedding was the first one I had ever attended and I can still picture it. 62 years of marriage is special and all the love you and your family had for each other is what makes this world a beautiful place. Many condolences.
City
Berlin
State
Maryland
22 Oct 2024
12:43pm
A fine man and friend. We formed the Presidents Council for the Fire and Rescue Association many years ago for Calvert County. His service to our community was outstanding. RIP my friend.
City
Prince Frederick
State
Md
22 Oct 2024
1:09pm
I remember Chief Holzberger when I first started my journey in Prince George’s County Fire Department. He was such a great man of knowledge who has taught us all well at Land Over Hills VFD. Along with all of his sons. It was a great honor to meet you and work under your command. Rest in Peace Sir.
City
White Pine
State
TN
22 Oct 2024
3:47pm
Heaven will be a lot jollier now that Fred is among the angels. My condolences to Sandy and the rest of Fred’s family. I worked with and became friends with Fred at P.G. County D.E.R. We had met earlier when he was a police officer and I was a police dispatcher. At DER, Fred gave me the nickname “M.O.” which was police lingo. Some thought it meant Method of Operation, Modus Operandi, but in police radio lingo it stood for Mental Observation. I delighted in driving him nuts with my warped sense of humor. Fred and I sort of met when I was in high school and he was a police officer. It turned out that he was one of the assigned officers to chase me and a friend after we had led a demonstration. Fred did not catch us. At DER, Fred and I helped train Tony LaRose. The three of us became great friends, getting together with our wives and laughing.
Fred, thank you for your friendship, support and laughs. I miss you.
City
Greenbelt
State
Maryland
22 Oct 2024
9:43pm
Freddy was my first “9 Car” Corporal. His example of being the Sector Supervisor’s right-hand man influenced me heavily when I became one. Like Fred taught me, I took care of all of the little details to cut my Sergeant some slack like making up roll call, checking reports, and many other mundane tasks which took some of the load off our Sergeant. Freddy did all of those things and did them very well. He was a fine human being and officer.
City
Finksburg
State
MD
23 Oct 2024
3:34am
Sending my sincere Condolences to Eric and the Holzberger Family so sorry to read about your Dad.
City
PRINCE FREDERICK
State
MD
30 Oct 2024
6:46pm
I was deeply saddened to learn of your loss, and I am sending my deepest condolences to all of Fred’s family and friends.
It was both a pleasure and honor to work with Fred on the Police Department.
Rest in Peace, brother.
City
Langston
State
Alabama
23 Oct 2024
2:48pm
Fred (CB Handle: Reverend) You will be sorely missed. To the family, may the peace that passeth all understanding be with you now henceforth and forever more.
Reverend Dr. Winfred (Flash) Walton #L4-0968 (Squad 22 District One 1980)
City
Lanham
State
Maryland
27 Oct 2024
2:20pm
Sandy & Family: We hope you find comfort in the many memories Fred left for you & your lovely family. You are all in our thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. ❤️ Juanita & Skip Wilson
City
Brandywine
State
MD
30 Oct 2024
10:02pm
Fred will be so very missed by his family, friends and community. Prayers are with Sandy and family, as he surely now rests in the peaceful arms of our Lord. 🙏💙🙏
City
Washburn
State
TN
31 Oct 2024
9:25am
What a terrific guy! After his stroke I had the honor of visiting with him many times as I brought communion to him in his home. He loved the Lord, and he loved his family. It was always a joy to see him and to share our faith in Jesus.
Rest in peace, my friend.
City
Deale
State
Maryland
31 Oct 2024
9:48am
Sheree and I knew Fred from his living down the street in Victoria Station and Jesus the Good Shepherd church. Since we were both police officers, our careers led us to be buddies. Since I was still working I knew I could always ask Fred for advice and he sure would give it, pulling no punches. He was a great guy and fine community member that we all should try to emulate. RIP buddy, Calvert will miss you.
City
Owings
State
MARYLAND
1 Nov 2024
1:00pm
Sandy, Fred will be missed. Sorry I lost touch when Elsie and I moved up to the Ocean City area. I remember riding with Freddy and he had to go home to see the kids. He always had the kids in mind. Those were Great days.
City
Selbyville
State
Delaware
1 Nov 2024
11:21pm
To Sandy and all of the Holzberger family. Thinking of you and your family as you celebrate the life of your beloved husband, brother and grandfather. May your memories get you through this difficult time.
Peace Be With You All
City
Elkridge
State
Md
Sort Comments
Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. We are so thankful we got to share sometime with Fred.
“Little”Freddy and Sandy’s wedding was the first one I had ever attended and I can still picture it. 62 years of marriage is special and all the love you and your family had for each other is what makes this world a beautiful place. Many condolences.
A fine man and friend. We formed the Presidents Council for the Fire and Rescue Association many years ago for Calvert County. His service to our community was outstanding. RIP my friend.
I remember Chief Holzberger when I first started my journey in Prince George’s County Fire Department. He was such a great man of knowledge who has taught us all well at Land Over Hills VFD. Along with all of his sons. It was a great honor to meet you and work under your command. Rest in Peace Sir.
Heaven will be a lot jollier now that Fred is among the angels. My condolences to Sandy and the rest of Fred’s family. I worked with and became friends with Fred at P.G. County D.E.R. We had met earlier when he was a police officer and I was a police dispatcher. At DER, Fred gave me the nickname “M.O.” which was police lingo. Some thought it meant Method of Operation, Modus Operandi, but in police radio lingo it stood for Mental Observation. I delighted in driving him nuts with my warped sense of humor. Fred and I sort of met when I was in high school and he was a police officer. It turned out that he was one of the assigned officers to chase me and a friend after we had led a demonstration. Fred did not catch us. At DER, Fred and I helped train Tony LaRose. The three of us became great friends, getting together with our wives and laughing.
Fred, thank you for your friendship, support and laughs. I miss you.
Freddy was my first “9 Car” Corporal. His example of being the Sector Supervisor’s right-hand man influenced me heavily when I became one. Like Fred taught me, I took care of all of the little details to cut my Sergeant some slack like making up roll call, checking reports, and many other mundane tasks which took some of the load off our Sergeant. Freddy did all of those things and did them very well. He was a fine human being and officer.
Sending my sincere Condolences to Eric and the Holzberger Family so sorry to read about your Dad.
I was deeply saddened to learn of your loss, and I am sending my deepest condolences to all of Fred’s family and friends.
It was both a pleasure and honor to work with Fred on the Police Department.
Rest in Peace, brother.
Fred (CB Handle: Reverend) You will be sorely missed. To the family, may the peace that passeth all understanding be with you now henceforth and forever more.
Reverend Dr. Winfred (Flash) Walton #L4-0968 (Squad 22 District One 1980)
Sandy & Family: We hope you find comfort in the many memories Fred left for you & your lovely family. You are all in our thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. ❤️ Juanita & Skip Wilson
Fred will be so very missed by his family, friends and community. Prayers are with Sandy and family, as he surely now rests in the peaceful arms of our Lord. 🙏💙🙏
What a terrific guy! After his stroke I had the honor of visiting with him many times as I brought communion to him in his home. He loved the Lord, and he loved his family. It was always a joy to see him and to share our faith in Jesus.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Sheree and I knew Fred from his living down the street in Victoria Station and Jesus the Good Shepherd church. Since we were both police officers, our careers led us to be buddies. Since I was still working I knew I could always ask Fred for advice and he sure would give it, pulling no punches. He was a great guy and fine community member that we all should try to emulate. RIP buddy, Calvert will miss you.
Sandy, Fred will be missed. Sorry I lost touch when Elsie and I moved up to the Ocean City area. I remember riding with Freddy and he had to go home to see the kids. He always had the kids in mind. Those were Great days.
To Sandy and all of the Holzberger family. Thinking of you and your family as you celebrate the life of your beloved husband, brother and grandfather. May your memories get you through this difficult time.
Peace Be With You All