Fredrick "Fred" Perry Brouwer

Fredrick “Fred” Perry Brouwer, a respected businessman, loving husband, and devoted father, passed away on April 3, 2023, at the age of 83, in Warsaw, Indiana. 

Born on November 26, 1939, along with his identical twin brother, James, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to his parents Perry Fulton and Ruth Adelia (Gravelle) Brouwer.  Fred was named after a family friend, World War II pilot, Captain Frederick Bock.

Fred’s childhood was marked by frequent moves, living in various states including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Arizona. These early experiences ignited his love for travel and adventure, which stayed with him throughout his life.  He attended Shipshewana Scott High School in Indiana and graduated in 1957 from North Phoenix High School in Arizona.  He went on to graduate from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in 1962, a proud alumnus who often credited his success in business to the lessons he learned during his time at IU.  While at Indiana University he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, where he formed lifelong friendships.

After graduating from IU, Fred worked as a stockbroker for Paine Webber Jackson and Curtis in Indianapolis.  He later returned to Shipshewana and worked as a purchasing agent for Holly Park Homes. Fred served as a fire direction and control specialist officer in the Elkhart Army National Guard, where he achieved the highest score and accuracy in calculating the parabolic trajectory for a shell, a feat commemorated by a plaque hanging at the national guard training center.

On May 2, 1970, Fred married Patricia Leeper and together they embarked on a successful entrepreneurial journey.  In 1973, they started Brouwer’s Carpet in Warsaw, Indiana and later expanded their business to include furniture sales forming Brouwer’s Carpet and Furniture.

Fred will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit, his kind heart, and his contagious love of life.  He is survived by his twin brother James Brouwer (Shipshewana, IN), his son Gary (Linda) Reed, (Tucson, AZ), daughter Teresa (Roger) Jaynes (Warsaw, IN) , daughter-in-law Jennifer (the late Bradley) Brouwer (Winona Lake, IN),  grandchildren Leah (Tim) Reed Duffy (Fishers, IN), Ivy (Sarah Beane) Reed (Taos, New Mexico), Jeremy (Anahit) Jaynes (Bloomington, IN), Trevor (Christine) Jaynes (Plymouth, IN), Regan (Evanston, IL), Raquel and Peri Brouwer (Winona Lake, IN) and his nine great grandchildren.  Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Patricia, and his son Bradley Brouwer.

A memorial service to celebrate Fred’s life will be held Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 3:00 with visitation an hour prior at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 South High Street, Warsaw, Indiana.  Arrangements were entrusted with Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, Indiana.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Fred’s memory to "Kosciusko County Riley Kids Fund", c/o Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Inc., 102 East Market Street, Warsaw, IN  46580; or to The Watershed Foundation, P.O. Box 55, North Webster, IN 46555.