Dr. Fredrick A. Tweet, loving husband, dad, and granddad, peacefully passed away at age 84 on May 23, 2024, while under hospice care in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Fred was born November 22, 1939, in Sedalia, Missouri, to Noel and Elizabeth Tweet. He graduated from high school in Pierre, South Dakota, and went on to earn his bachelor's and master's degrees in Physiology at the University of South Dakota. Fred met his sweetheart Joan in 1961 on the steps of the library at the University of South Dakota and they married in 1962. He went on to complete his medical degree at the University of Chicago in 1966, graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. Fred finished his residency at the University of Kansas in Clinical and Anatomical Pathology.
In 1969 Fred served with the U.S. Army for two years in San Antonio, Texas. In 1971, he moved his family to Pittsburg, Kansas, and started his career as the Pathologist for Mt. Carmel Hospital. He served the medical community for 28 years. During that time, he started Pathology Associates of Southeast Kansas and for many years served as the Crawford County Coroner and covered classes as needed at Pittsburg State University for the Nursing School.
Growing up, Fred spent many summers helping with the Tweet family farm in Wisconsin. He was very physically active throughout his life, excelling at Tennis, and winning on the racquetball court at the YMCA during lunch. Fred enjoyed bike riding and hiked all over the U.S. in search of waterfalls. He enjoyed snow skiing, boating, and creating memorable trips with the family. Fred's creative outlets included gardening, he acquired a massive rock and gem collection and enjoyed lapidary work. Fred was especially thrilled to get an article published February 2016 in Rock and Gem magazine. Annual fishing trips with his crew of friends brought great joy for over 20 years. A good cup of coffee, desserts, reading, friends, family, adventure, Jayhawk basketball, and Chiefs were his favorite things.
Fred is survived by his wife Joan, Pittsburg, KS; daughter, Lori Petsick (Mark) Lodi, CA; son Leigh Tweet, Pittsburg, KS; daughter, Gwen Parsons, Pittsburg, KS; grandchildren: Zach Petsick, (Stefanie) Sacramento, CA, Alanna Petsick, Sacramento, CA, Olivia Parsons, Kansas City, MO, Luke Parsons San Angelo, TX; great-grandson, Truett Petsick; and sister, Joy McCurley, Oceanside, CA.
Fred was preceded in death by his son, Ryan Tweet, and sister, Barbara White.
The family would like to thank the wonderful people at Via Christi Village and Harry Hynes Hospice for their compassion and prayers. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org.
