Frederick Martin Benninghoff passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2023, at the age of 81 in Oak Harbor, WA after a short battle with cancer.

He was born January 23, 1942, in Portland, OR. The family moved on to spend one year in Edina, MN. The next move took them to Cleveland, TN where they owned a family laundry business. After the laundry business was sold, they moved to Woodland Hills, CA where he graduated from high school.

Ending up in Washington after serving in the Army from 1962-1965, Fred finally settled at Whidbey in the early 1970’s.

In 1976 he met his future wife, Mary Vomaska. They married in 1977 and had their son Frederick Jr in 1978.

He was always an entrepreneur and desired to be his own boss. He purchased The Troubleshooter company in the mid 90’s and owned the business until its closure in 2022.

He enjoyed many hobbies: Plastic models, R/C cars, Military history, automobiles, airplanes, landscaping, and above all, holiday lighting. He enjoyed decorating for Halloween, but he loved decorating for Christmas. It was his greatest joy to have endless visitors of all ages come to the display and share all his hard work. Fred was a loyal friend who was always willing to help others and share his limitless knowledge. He was a natural storyteller who could hold court in a room with his funny and animated tales.

He joins his mother Dorothy Benninghoff, father, Joseph Benninghoff and sister Helen Sherrod of Burlington. He is survived by his love, Mary (Vomaska) Benninghoff and son Frederick Benninghoff Jr. both of Oak Harbor Washington, his sister Mickey Ouellet of Moreno Valley California and his 3 step-daughters, Colleen Herrick of Oak Harbor Washington, Lisa Neidhardt of San Diego California, and Kobe Crossley of Tucson Arizona. He is also survived by 8 grandkids, 5 great grandkids and 1 niece and 2 nephews.

A Celebration of his life will be held on the 30th of April from 1-3 p.m. at the Elks Club in Oak Harbor