Fred Laudan

Fred Milstead Laudan, born Sept. 22, 1943, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007, at his residence on Richland-Chambers Reservoir, after a short illness with a cancerous brain tumor.He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 32 years, Karen Laudan; son, Fred M. Laudan Jr. of Blooming Grove; son, Tim Laudan of Ennis; daughter, Cynthia Crawford of Ennis; a brother of Corsicana; seven grandchildren; and a host of friends and life-time acquaintances.Fred was preceded in death by his parents, James and Josephine Laudan; a sister and a cousin.He was a Christian and a member of First Baptist Church in Corsicana.In younger years he was involved in scouting, football, golden gloves amateur boxing and racing his ?39 Chevy Coupe at yellowbelly raceway in Grand Prairie. He was a certified U.S. salvage diver, enjoyed water and snow skiing, ham radio, hunting, motorcycle and guitar. Early in his career, Fred was a department and store manager for Sears and J.C. Penney Corp. He also owned Laudan Refrigeration and Laudan Research. Fred earned his pilot?s license and purchased his first airplane in the 1960s, which he rebuilt. Flying was his ?passion? and his career for most of his life. He was a self-taught aerobatics pilot and performed at air shows around Texas and Oklahoma in his Super Acrosport. He also performed in Lake Fest 90 and local Fourth of July celebrations.Fred acquired an engineering background but flying was center stage for him. He enjoyed a wonderful career flying twin commander for Omni Air, pilot for VanDusen Aircraft Supply and Dallas Aerotex Supply, out of Love Field in Dallas. In the 1970s he was direct sales manager for Torque Systems International, account advisor for NSW, rep for Hall Equipment Coin Houston. He worked with the Goodyear Blimp Aerial Ambassador Program in Houston where he rode the blimp. Fred was also manager for Rusco Electronic Systems in Dallas. Then he worked on ethanol production for Navarro College with a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Until his death he owned Laudan Aerial Production, ending his flying career as aerial map contractor for Alcoa, Northwestern Resources, Texas Utility Mining Co. and the Reclamation Industry for over 25 years.Fred often recalled a trip to deliver an open cockpit bi-plane from California to Corsicana, over mountainous terrain, as one of his most memorable flights. Fred was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, American Society of Photogrammetry, past member of the Confederate Air Force Coyote Squadron of Corsicana. Fred will be memorialized in the Aviation Museum at Corsicana Municipal Airport. His spirit will always be with us.A private memorial service will be held to celebrate his life.An online guest book is available at www.griffin-roughton.com by selecting the Fred M. Laudan obituary.Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, Corsicana. 8

Fred Laudan

September 22, 1943 - August 5, 2007