H. Frederick “Fred” Koons, Jr.

Mar 20, 2012

H. Frederick “Fred” Koons, Jr., 67, of 285 William St., Winfield, passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the SUN Home Hospice Care Center, Sunbury.

Born Oct. 24, 1944 in Muncy, he was a son of the late Harold Frederick Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Border) Koons.

Following his 1962 graduation from Muncy High School, where he played the flute in the band, Fred continued to expand his education in various fields. In 1966 he received an A.B. degree from Franklin and Marshall College and in 1967 he pursued graduate studies at the University of Rhode Island. In 1976 he earned a British Horse Society Instructorship from Rockhampton School of Equitation in Rockhampton, England; and in 1979 he was the recipient of a Master’s degree with a concentration on community clinical psychology from Mansfield University.

In his younger years, Fred was a lifeguard at the Patrizio Pool in Muncy. He began his professional career in 1967 as a teacher and chairman of science at Friend’s Academy; and in 1970 he became a psychological counselor at the Williamsport Hospital Rehabilitation Center. He continued to work in the psychology field from 1970 until 2003 at various centers, including Family and Children’s Services, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit #16, Divine Providence Community Mental Health Center, Family Counseling and Mental Health Center, Central Susquehanna Diagnostic Center, Selinsgrove Center, and the State Correctional Institution in Muncy. In 2006 and 2007 he worked as a part-time therapist at the White Deer Center.

Despite his busy career in psychology, Fred found time to pursue his passion for animals. In 1987 he opened Highlea Kennels in Winfield, where he taught dog obedience courses on a part-time basis, boarded dogs, and offered aid to various rescue organizations. While employed at SCI in Muncy he was instrumental in starting a service dog training program with the inmates which was coordinated with Canine Partners for Life. As part of his equine training in England he became involved in horse shows, hunting and jumping. Locally he taught riding lessons and trained several area state champions. In addition, Fred was involved with 4H, enjoyed skiing, and was a volunteer with Evangelical Hospice.

Surviving are one sister, Joan (Kenneth) Snyder of Pennsdale; three nieces, Melanie (Gregory) Eiswerth of Muncy, Pamela (Valentine) Fenstermacher of Watsontown and Betsey Richner of Pennsdale; one nephew Matthew Snyder of Muncy; five great-nephews, Ethan (Vanessa) Eiswerth of Macungie, Trevor Eiswerth of Harrisburg, Tyler Richner of Pennsdale, and Dustin Richner (Megan Mottern) and Noah Snyder, all of Hughesville; two great-nieces, Mary Katherine Snyder of Watsontown and Kiah Richner of Muncy; and two great-great-nieces, Mari Eiswerth and Calise Eiswerth.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by two nephews, Douglas Snyder and Kenneth Snyder II; and his Aunt Martha E. Koons.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church, 42 S. Third St., Lewisburg. Officiating will be Rev. James R. Taylor, SUN Home Health Hospice chaplain. Interment will be held privately in Muncy Cemetery.

The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorial contributions be made to either Canine Partners for Life, P.O. Box 170, Cochranville, PA 19330 (designate Fred Koons Memorial Fund Muncy) or SUN Home Hospice, 61 Duke Street, P.O. Box 232, Northumberland, PA 17857.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grenoblefuneralhome.com