Frederick Lee Shippey, 86, of Penfield, NY, passed away on March 29, 2026. Fred was born on January 6, 1940, in Detroit, MI. After he graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1957, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He spent 2 years working for Ford, then enlisted as an officer in the Air Force and spent 5 years on active duty. He continued as an Air Force Reserve member for another 25 years, retiring as a full Colonel. After Fred left active duty, he returned to the University of Michigan to earn a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. He took a job at Eastman Kodak and moved to Penfield. He spent his career as a photographic engineer with Kodak and then as a digital imaging consultant. He was also a photographer, and took photos for many local and worldwide organizations and events.

Fred met his wife, Susan, as a student at Michigan. They worked together on the Michiganensian yearbook and in the UM Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Fred was also a photographer for the Michigan Daily, and had several photos published in national magazines, including some he took when President Kennedy proposed the Peace Corps while in Ann Arbor. Fred and Sue raised 2 daughters in Penfield, Elizabeth and Sara. Fred was an active volunteer in the Rochester area. He spent many years as a member of the Penfield Board of Education and as a member of the BOCES Board of Education. He traveled around the world to judge events and take photos for Olympics of the Mind, Odyssey of the Mind, and Destination Imagination. He volunteered at the George Eastman Museum. He served on the vestry and sang in the choir at Incarnation Episcopal Church. And he volunteered with his daughters’ girl scout troops, and loved going troop camping with them.

Fred was predeceased by his wife, Susan Sautter Shippey, and his parents, Saima Helen Tulppo Shippey and Darrell L. Shippey. He is survived by his brother, Edwin Shippey, and his daughters Elizabeth Ballbach (John) and Sara Tao (Peter), and his grandchildren Vee, Simon, Thomas, and Emily.

The family will hold a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eastman Museum or to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his name.