Fred W. Kladder, Ph.D.

Fred W. Kladder, Ph.D., 76, of Westfield, IN passed away November 5, 2021.  He was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of the late Frederick William and Annette Jane (Dekkers) Kladder.  Fred and his wife Dale were married on November 25, 2002 on the US Virgin Island of St. Croix with family members present.

Fred is best remembered as a kind, thoughtful and generous man who was loved and admired by many. Fred treasured his times with family and friends, especially those occasions spent with his grandchildren Leo and Eloise, to whom he was known as “Opa”.

Fred and Dale loved to travel to warm weather locations such as Aruba and Marco Island, Florida, as they followed the warm sunshine and blue waters. Fred was a P.A.D.I. certified scuba diver who enjoyed many trips with his dive buddies, including the Galapagos Islands, Truk Lagoon and Palau (Micronesia), Hawaii, Cozumel and Bonaire.

Fred was a lifelong fan of University of Michigan football and Indiana University basketball. Fred enjoyed working with stained glass and made many beautiful stained-glass lamps for family, usually as a wedding gift. Throughout his life, he loved many different genres of music – from the classical works to modern classics like The Beatles, Johnny Cash and the Rolling Stones. He was definitely a 60’s hippie kind of guy!

Fred was a board member of the Oak Meadows Homeowners Association in Greenwood, IN for fifteen years and president for nine of those years.

Fred graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1963. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids in 1967, and proudly celebrated his 50^th year reunion in 2017 with many close college friends. Fred went on to earn a Masters of Art degree from Western Michigan University in 1968, and a Ph.D from Indiana University – Bloomington in 1982. In 1986, Fred earned his Private Practice Certificate, and in 1989 he was endorsed by the Indiana State Board of Examiners in Psychology as a Health Service Provider in Psychology (HSPP). He was a member of the American Psychological Association since 1985.

Fred was one of the founding partners of Indiana Disability Determination Consultants, and he spent over 30 years evaluating the psychological and medical information of individuals claiming Social Security Disability due to cognitive and emotional problems. He was known for his ability to empathically consider the claims of the individual while adhering to Social Security program guidelines.

He is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Dale H. Kladder; daughter, Laura (Matt) Mays; three stepchildren, Sean Gehlhausen, Jennifer (Tony) Gibson, and Robert (Michele) Dole; two grandchildren, Leo and Eloise Mays; and three brothers, Jim Kladder, Dick (Jayne) Kladder, and Cal (Michelle) Kladder.

At his request, Fred will be cremated and his ashes will be spread in the beautiful waters of Aruba and Marco Island, and separately within the Neptune Memorial Coral Reef in Key Biscayne with his fellow dive buddies.

A Celebration of Fred’s Life will be 1pm Saturday, November 13, 2021, at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel, 325 East Carmel Drive.  Visitation will be prior from 11am until 1pm at the funeral home.  While flowers are welcome, memorial contributions in Fred’s name may be directed to GiGi’s Playhouse Indianapolis (Gigi’s Playhouse Indianapolis). Online condolences may be shared by visiting flannerbuchanan.com.