Obituary of Frederick Wollesen Smith

SMITH Fred Age 99, Little Canada. Producer of Variety stage shows, musical revues. “What? And leave show biz?” “Yes, Fred. It’s time. Check your cue sheet! It says: FADE TO BLACK” So, with a wink and a smile, he dimmed his lights down and out for keeps on July 27th, 2017. He’d said earlier, “Show’s closing, but a 99-year run ain’t too shabby!” Frederick W. was born February 25, 1918 in St. Paul to Eugene and Gladys Wollesen Smith. Graduated from Johnson High (’35) and University of Minnesota (’41), B.A. in Fine Arts. Earlier, he’d become an Eagle Scout, often saying that the Scout merit badge program gave him the most practical, useful segment of his education. Starting at 12 as a bill-passer (distributing movie theater “coming attractions” handbills door-to-door), he ushered at three neighborhood theatres – Arcade, Roxy (manager at 18) and the Deluxe, where he met movie patron Bette Joyce Bonk, who became his best friend for 75 years, 70 of them as a married couple. Moving downtown to the Lyceum as usher, display artist, set-piece and prop builder for the popular musical revues produced by WCCO Artists Bureau, he was soon appearing steadily on stage there and at the Palace (Mpls.) as a comic (sketches, ‘bits’ and ‘blackouts’). He then joined well-known radio/TV personality Randy Merriman in a vaudeville act, playing for several years. He became stage manager and set - and - prop designer in Al Sheehan’s AQUA FOLLIES. In 1945, after a brief time in the USNR, Fred became an associate of Sheehan’s. Their new office door proclaimed: ENTERTAINMENT and MUSIC --- ATTRACTIONS and PRODUCTIONS. Along with countless club dates, convention and industrial shows, county fair grandstand shows and AQUA FOLLIES, the office produced two winning nightclub shows. After convincing the Edgewater Inn restaurant of its need for a floor show to attract business, the popular EDGEWATER EIGHT singers/dancers consistently drew crowds for 17 years. In 1962 Fred was booking name acts into the Radisson Hotel Flame Room for owner Curt Carlson who, wishing to replace the act policy, asked friend Sheehan to create a violin show like those in Mexico City, Paris and elsewhere. Sheehan and staff began a search for eight superior violinists and accompanists. The result was the classy GOLDEN STRINGS (19 years). Upon Sheehan’s death, Fred continued producing those shows and also creating a successful summer outdoor stage attraction in western North Dakota for businessman Harold Schafer – the MEDORA MUSICAL, which staged its 50th edition in 2014 and continues in popularity. In addition to just spending free time with his family at their lake home, he enjoyed his pontoon and small sailboat and trips to the Caribbean and Hawaii. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Mpls.; life member of Unizar Lodge 347 and Zurah Temple of the Shrine. Sadly, he lost Bette, as well as his brother Richard, in 2012, and his parents years earlier. Ruby, Bette’s and Fred’s cat companion, died tragically in July 2014, much to Fred’s sorrow. He will be missed by daughter and son-in-law, Deb and Rod Johnson of Elk River; granddaughter Amanda Omodth and Scott, Eau Claire; granddaughter Emily Oran Johnson and Brian, St. Paul; nephew Chandler Smith and Holly Kingsland, Calif.; nephew Jeff Buse and JoAnn, Scandia; nephew Greg Buse and Sandy, St. Paul; niece Daphne McArthur and Bill, Okla.; niece Dulcy Francis and John, Ohio; Pat and Steve Bonk, Maplewood; and grandnephews/nieces. Fred would like to be remembered by all his good B2 neighbors, especially the cocktail crowd: Jim next door and Jean and Mike. Of course the super housekeeper/chef, Ruth. Remembering the fun, and missing Fred, is cat pal Ella, who brought pleasure to her old fella. Fred had many fond memories of his favorite show people (you know who you are!) and he would hope those memories are being shared and kept by his various directors, music/vocal arrangers, choreographers, costumers, singers, dancers, variety acts, circus folks, office friends (especially Bette II) and, for sure, the much-loved remaining few of Freddie’s fellow stage performers of the ‘30s and ‘40s. You may send messages of condolence to the Cremation Society of Minnesota (Brooklyn Park Chapel, 7835 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445) in C/O The Frederick Smith Family.