John F. "Fred" Moder

John F. "Fred" Moder, Jr. died peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 8, 2017 at the age of 88.

Fred is survived by his wife Diane M. (Elliott) Moder, Dormont, PA; son Mark and wife Stephanie, Mt. Lebanon, PA; son Scott and wife Janet, Reston, VA; close family friend Patti Irwin, Dormont, PA; and six grandchildren: Harrison, Victoria, Jordyn, Colston, Kathryn, and Trenten. Fred is preceded in death by his parents and sister Jane Stout.

Fred was born on October 26, 1929 in Pittsburgh, PA to John F. Moder, Sr. and Nell M. Moder. He graduated from Dormont High School in 1947 and attended the University of Pittsburgh before volunteering for the U.S. Army. He served as a Sergeant with the Army Security Agency for four years, working as a Russian linguist in Honolulu, Hawaii during the Korean War before returning home and continuing his education at Pitt. Fred served as a mechanical engineer in the steel industry for Koppers, Inc. He married Diane Elliott on April 15, 1961 and moved into a new home in Dormont, PA. Over their lifetime, they celebrated 56 years of marriage and welcomed two sons into their home.

At Koppers, Fred worked in the Project Engineering Group and was responsible for the layout of some of the largest blast furnaces in the United States and other steelmaking facilities. The blast furnace projects he was most proud of were the layout of No. 7 Blast Furnace at Inland Steel (now ArcelorMital Indiana Harbor Works) and Bethlehem Steel "L" Furnace in Sparrows Point, Maryland, especially the work he did helping layout and design the Automated Stock Houses. After retiring from Koppers, Fred worked for Kaiser Engineering and Paul Wurth. Fred later partnered with Steve Novak as one of the founding principals of ATAC Engineering. He was greatly respected in the steel industry, especially in regards to blast furnace charging and material handling work. He was passionate about his career and frequently talked about his engineering. Fred worked with Steve on blast furnace charging studies as recently as the month prior to his death, to include USS Gary Works.

Fred was a devoted husband, father, son and brother who emphasized God, honesty, hard work and family. Fred designed and built a cabin in Confluence, PA that he enjoyed sharing with his family and friends. He loved spending his weekends and summers at his cabin growing fruit trees, maintaining berry patches and planting a large garden. He shared the fruit, berries, and vegetables with his family, neighbors and friends. Fred was an active and dedicated member of Berean Fellowship Church in Scott Township, PA. Fred's sons remember him as a man of integrity who loved his family and encouraged them to stay faithful to God while they raised their own families and pursued their personal and professional goals. His grandchildren called him "Pap" and remember him as a devoted grandfather who actively encouraged them while following all of their church, academic, sports, and Scouting events.

Fred's family and friends are invited to visitation from 1-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at William Slater II Funeral Services located at 1650 Green Tree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220.

All friends and family are welcome to attend and celebrate Fred's amazing life at a special memorial service at 7:30pm on Monday, December 18 with a reception to follow at Berean Fellowship Church. The church is located at 300 Rockfield Circle, Pittsburgh PA, 15243. Fred's son, Pastor Mark Moder, will officiate the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Berean Fellowship Church Youth Department in Fred's name via the church mailing address or http://www.bereanfellowship.org. The family would like to thank the staff at the Family Hospice in Mt. Lebanon, PA for their compassionate care during Fred's final days with his family.