Friedrich "Fred" Maisberger II

Friedrich "Fred" Maisberger II, 85, Topeka, died on August 1, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family, in Topeka. He was born May 21, 1940, in Munich, Germany to Anna Maria Kallinger and Friedrich Maisberger who later divorced. He lived in Gronsdorf a small town outside Munich where he remembers living through the American bombings during World War II. At the age of 12 his mother married Howard Metcalf who served in the United States Army-Air Corp. moving the family from Germany to the United States. He arrived with his mother in November 1952 on a ship entering Ellis Island in New York City. Fred lived in Seapleasant, Maryland; San Antonio, Texas and El Paso, Texas graduating from Austin High School in 1959. Fred learned English by watching television specifically cowboy movies and reading elementary school books. In June 1959 following graduation he joined the United States Air Force completing his basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas and technical school at Lowery AFB in Colorado before being stationed at Forbes AFB in Pauline, Kansas. Fred served on active duty from June 1959 until November 1966 where he was deployed to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan; Saigon, Vietnam; and Bangkok, Thailand serving as a photographer where he was able to attend diplomatic functions and captured our military in various aspects during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War where he served two tours. Later he also served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 1990 – March 1991. While serving in Vietnam War he was employed by the U.S. Embassy where he was assigned to teach English to Chinese and Vietnamese high school students. He left active duty service in November 1966 and worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and the State of Kansas working for the Department of Revenue, Department of Civil Defense and the Department of Transportation before joining the Kansas 190th Air National Guard in November 11, 1971 where he worked as an administrative position in personnel services and worked in the command center and later as a scheduler for the pilots and flight crews retiring as an Air Operations Superintendent Senior Master Sergeant in October 1994.

On June 9, 1962, he married Ann R. Granado, and they had three children Priscilla (Kerry) Diaz of Overland Park, Friedrich “Freddy” (Shawn) Maisberger III of Topeka and Elizabeth (Brad) Clark of Carbondale. They divorced in 1979. On May 18, 1984, he married Amalia “Molly” Serrano, and they have been married for over 40 years. Other survivors include his sister Inge (Herman) Hahn, Germany; his wife Molly, his three children, and grandchildren Anthony (Kandi) Granado, Timothy Zabala, Cinnamon Walker, Felisha Diaz, Frankie (Marissa) Diaz, Lauren (Wes) Moots, Friedrich (Abbi) Maisberger IV, Ethan Clark and Abby Clark and seven great-grandchildren. Fred enjoyed attending NFL games visiting all stadiums, some of them twice. His favorite teams included the Las Vegas Raiders and the Baltimore Ravens. He was an integral part of his family, enjoyed attending his grandkids and great grandkids sporting events and drinking his coffee with a sweet treat. As an immigrant he truly was proud to be an American citizen through his actions, wearing patriotic colors of the flag and his collection of eagles as well as service to his country. He was a member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the VFW. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church followed by his burial with military honors at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Fred Maisberger will lie in state between 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Brenna-Mathena Funeral Home and a Scriptural rosary will begin at 6:00 p.m. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and/or St. Matthews Catholic Church and sent in care of the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th, Topeka, 66603.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.