Frederick H. Rixe age 87 of Springfield, MO passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2009. He and his wife moved to Springfield two years ago after living in Catoosa, OK for over fifty years. He was born May 12, 1922 in Bennett, IA to Fred and Emilia Rixe. He graduated from Bennett High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Ames, IA. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1956. His first professional job after serving in the European/African Theatre during World War II was as a Cost Estimating Engineer for Standard Oil Development Company in New Jersey. After the Korean War he worked as a Research Engineer with Pan American Petroleum Corporation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He worked for Williams Brothers Engineering Company designing the gathering stations for the Alaska Pipeline. His Korean service was helping to build K51, the first air strip for jet planes in one of the world's poorest countries. They were to have it built in six months and they did. It is now Osan Air Base in South Korea. He served under SCARWAF. The Army Engineers were loaned to the Air Force for a period of time. He was a member of American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He served on the Advisory Board of Iowa State University for the Mechanical Engineering Department for ten years. He also served on the Rural Water District #4 in Wagoner County for thirteen years. During his tenure the water district went from one of the smallest districts in Oklahoma to the largest in the state. He enjoyed attending steam engine shows and collecting old gasoline engines. He loved traveling and attending World Fairs. He was a member of the Tulsa Theater Organ Club. He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years Patricia A. Rixe Springfield, MO, a niece Pamela Wuestenburg, Davenport, IA, nephew Merton Burnett, Bennett, IA, Niece Joyce Munden and husband Wallace, Springfield, MO and a great niece and nephew. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 10 a.m. in Missouri Veterans Cemetery with Chaplain Paul Stanek officiating under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. A visitation will be held Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus, 1465 E. Primrose, Springfield, MO, 65804.