Obituary
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved husband
and father, Frederick “Fred” Ralph Bagg. He was born July 19th,
1944, in Ottumwa, Iowa, and passed away February 1st, 2026, in Estacada,
Oregon, surrounded by the love of a family that was the center of his world.
Fred was the son of Ralph Francis Bagg and Grace Marie (Birkinbine) Bagg,
and was proudly named after his grandfather, Frederick B. Bagg. When Fred was
just 14 years old he lost his father and was raised by his strong and fiercely
protective mother, whose influence shaped the steady, dependable man he became.
Growing up in Ottumwa, Fred stayed busy as a paper boy, altar boy, and an
athlete, playing basketball and baseball whenever he could. He graduated from
Ottumwa High School in 1962. At just 17 years old, he joined the United States
Navy, serving a three-year enlistment as a Radioman Third Class. His service
took him around the world, including assignments in Naples, Italy; Nea Makri,
Greece; and aboard the USS Long Beach.
After leaving the Navy in 1966, Fred returned to Ottumwa. Then by luck, as
he liked to say, was hired on the spot in the telegraph office of what was then
called the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy (CB&Q) Railroad, likely due to
his knowledge of morse code and U.S. Navy experience. He later transferred to Chicago and attended
DeVry Technical Institute in the evenings to become an electronic technician.
It was in Chicago working in the telegraph office for CB&Q Railroad where
he first noticed “a cute, energetic” girl named Linda J. Reed, who became the
love of his life.
Fred and Linda were married in Alliance, Nebraska on November 9th, 1968, a
decision Fred would later say was the best one he ever made. Married for over 57 years, Linda’s outgoing
spirit complemented Fred’s quiet and patient nature. Fred and Linda were a true and amazing team,
including when Fred would strategically choose to turn down his hearing aids.
Fred’s career moved the family through Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, and
Iowa. While in Nebraska, he traveled to
Kansas City in a snowstorm to obtain his FCC license.
They moved west in 1978 to Estacada, Oregon, where Fred and Linda made their
home for the rest of their lives. He
retired from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Company in 2004 after 38
years of dedicated service.
Together, they built a life rooted in love, partnership, affection, and
laughter. Their first daughter, Sarah
Marie, was born in August 1969, followed by Melissa Ann in December 1970. In
November 1972, they welcomed their third daughter, Angelene Christene. In June
1983, Fred finally got his long-awaited son, Patrick Ralph Herbert!
In retirement, Fred became an avid golfer, a daily crossword puzzle expert,
a trail camera monitor, a gardener, and a voracious reader. Together, Fred and Linda proudly managed what
they jokingly called the “Bagg Retirement Home,” while Fred stayed active
maintaining their Oregon “acreage.” He
also volunteered his time helping with local food box programs and quietly gave
back to his community. Most importantly,
Fred spent decades faithfully showing up for his children and
grandchildren. He attended many soccer,
basketball, football, softball, baseball, tennis, track events and piano
recitals, helped his kids move across the country and helped with many of their
home improvement projects.
Fred is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Sarah (Tom) Neill,
Melissa (Jeff) Meiners, Angelene Bagg, and Patrick Bagg; and his grandchildren,
Joseph and Benjamin Frederick Neill, Emma and Maggie Lutz, and Samantha
Meiners, who adored him. He is also survived by his sisters, Patricia Fuller of
Ottumwa, Iowa, and Martha Huber of Des Moines, Iowa as well as many nieces and
nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace Crossing Bible Church in
Estacada, Oregon, on February 20th, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with a reception to
follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred’s name to the Estacada
Public Library. Our dad loved reading
and was a dedicated patron of the Estacada library.
Our dad was the greatest. He was a loving partner to our mother, a devoted
and proud grandfather to his five grandchildren, and there are not enough words
to describe how amazing he was as a father to the four of us. We are forever
grateful to have him in our lives, and that we were the lucky ones who got to
call him Dad.