Biography

In 1909, at the age of 13, Frederick attended The Hill School in Pottstown, PA. He briefly attended the University of Wisconsin in 1913, transferring to Princeton University in 1914 where he continued his studies until his junior year when he enlisted in the US Naval Reserve Forces to serve in World War I as an ensign, eventually serving duty on the USS Florida, a coal fired dreadnought battleship. Family stories relate that Fredrick was assigned duty at the top of the lattice masts as a lookout - a rather precarious station in rough seas. Letters home to his family in 1917 (see below) describe a near disastrous encounter with a severe storm off Newfoundland while steaming toward the Scarpa Flow north of Scotland to meet up with the British Grand Fleet. At the close of the war in 1918, Frederick is photographed leading a crew of Navy sailors at the homecoming parade in New York City celebrating the victorious return of US forces.

Sometime following this period, Frederick became interested in flying and became an amateur pilot. In 1920 he married Pauline Von Platen. Due to unusual complications, Pauline was left incapacitated after the birth of Nancy. She required assisted living the rest of her life.

Frederick became an accomplished golfer and in 1926 become Golf Champion at Kent Country Club in Grand Rapids, MI.

In 1934 Frederick married Elizabeth Bemis, her second marriage, and together they had two children, Ann and Frederick Jr.

In 1942 Frederick enlisted in the Navy to serve in WWII as lieutenant commander, returning to Grand Rapids after the war to resume his business affairs with the Electric Sorting Machine Co., retiring in 1952 as that firm's president. (bio by SAK)

FRED, WHOM WE affectionately called Pug, joined our class in our sophomore year. He had been at the Univ. of Wisconsin for a year. He was a Hill School graduate, and a native of Grand Rapids, MI. He became a very popular classmate, a member of the football squad and Ivy Club.

Fred left Princeton in junior year to serve as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in foreign waters. WW II found him back in the Navy again, for three and a half years as a lieutenant commander in the Amphibious Forces. Pug's business career was in Grand Rapids. From 1929 to 1952 he was vice president of the Electric Sorting Machine Co., and retired after being that firm's president.

Pug married Elizabeth Bemis of Grand Rapids in 1934, and enjoyed a very happy family life with his two sons and two daughters and their grandchildren. Pug was fond of fishing, hunting and golf. He much enjoyed these recreations.

To Elizabeth, and all the Avery family, we send our affection and sincere sympathy.

The Class of 1918

Source: Princeton Alumni Weekly, Jan. 26, 1981

From the Surviving Letters Project

1917

• Transcribed Letter from Frederick DeLano Avery (1895-1980) to his mother Annie Haley Barstow (1858-1921) postmarked April 23, 1917. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Frederick DeLano Avery (1895-1980) to Noyes Latham Avery (1881-1947) Postmarked Newport, Rhode Island, April 16, 1917 on US Navy stationary. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Frederick DeLano Avery (1895-1980) to his mother Annie Haley Barstow (1858-1921) written May 13, 1917. Scan of ORIGNIAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Frederick DeLano Avery (1895-1980) to his father Noyes Frederick Avery (1855-1925) Postmarked Newport, Rhode Island, October 4, 1917. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Frederick DeLano Avery (1895-1980) to his mother Annie Haley Barstow (1858-1921) Postmarked Newport, Rhode Island, October 22, 1917. Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Frederick DeLano Avery (1895-1980) to his mother Annie Haley Barstow (1858-1921) postmarked November 17, 1917 while serving as an Ensign in the US Naval Reserves onboard the U.S.S. Florida (BB30). Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER
• Transcribed Letter from Frederick DeLano Avery (1895-1980) to his mother Annie Haley Barstow (1858-1921) written December 7, 1917 while serving as an Ensign in the US Naval Reserves onboard the U.S.S. Florida (BB30). Scan of ORIGINAL LETTER