Frederick Joseph "Fred" Raubinger

RAUBINGER, Frederick Joseph "Fred" - Age 89, of Swartz Creek, passed away Saturday, August 30, 2025. Funeral service will be held 12:00 PM Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Central Church of the Nazarene, 1261 W. Bristol Road, Flint. Dr. Michael Kitsko officiating. Burial in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Gaines. Visitation will be held at Sharp Funeral Homes, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek Friday from 3-8 PM September 12, 2025 and at the church Saturday from 11 AM until the time of the service.

Fred was a tenacious soul. He was born the son of a German-Irish father and a Czechoslovakian mother. His young life was marked by living and working on the Raubinger family farm, raising cattle, horses, turkeys, and hogs among other things. Much of his time was spent hunting and trapping.

After graduating from Swartz Creek High school he joined the US Marine Corps where he was awarded an expert marksmen during his time serving overseas. He returned home as a Korean War Veteran. He soon married his (late) wife, Carolyn Blasdell. They were married 45 years.

Fred was known for the sparkle in his eye when he was up to his next shenanigans, always relying on his quick wit and curiosity. He continued to spend his time hunting on the Raubinger farm and abroad in South Africa. He also enjoyed talking on his HAM radio (call sign W8GNQ) for almost sixty years.

His children Kim (Tom Matus), Kristen (Dale Hansen), Kendra (John Chevalier), and Philip (Teresa Raubinger) remember him as being honest, hardworking, and predictable. He provided for them and for his late wife Carolyn (Blasdell) by working 34 years at GM’s Fisher Body Plant as a Welder Electrical Mechanical Repairman and Foreman. He was a member of Flint Central Church of the Nazarene, the American Legion Hall (Swartz Creek), and the Swartz Creek Sportsman’s Club.

He will be missed by his ten grandchildren Chad Hansen, Travis Hansen, Dr. Tara Robinette, Meggan Kennedy, Brett Williams, Lenae Chambers, Savannah Chambers, Hunter Chambers, Zachary Raubinger, Garrett Raubinger, and his sixteen great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Janet Wiltse and nephew Tim Raubinger. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to Tunnel to Towers.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.