Frederick B. Hobe, 84, of Fort Atkinson, Wisc., died on Saturday, March 24, 2007, at the Countryside Home in Jefferson.

He was born on Feb. 17, 1923, in Chicago, Ill., the son of the late Fred Paul and Vesta (Melter) Hobe.

Fred graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago. He then received his bachelor of arts degree in history (Rector Scholar) from DePauw University, class of 1944. He was in an accelerated program and finished the degree requirements one year early because of World War II.

He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Fred married Jean Mary Gilchrist on April 21, 1944.

He served in the Army during World War II in the Counter Intelligence Corps in southern France.

After being discharged from the service, he received his law degree from the University of Minnesota. While studying law, he taught French at the university. His graduate work was in political science at American University, Washington, D.C.

Fred was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in July 1950. He practiced law in Fort Atkinson and Milton.

He was active in Toastmasters and the Rotary Club. Fred was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Whitewater.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years; his children, Jennifer Mauro of Whidbey Island; Melinda Hobe of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Matthew vonHobe of Canon City, Colo.; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 29, at Calvary Lutheran Church and University Chapel, 234 N. Prince St., Whitewater.

Burial was in the Union Grove Veterans Cemetery. If desired, memorials may be made to the church.