Frederick T. Witmer

Frederick T. Witmer, 71, of Etters, passed away on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026, with his family by his side. Born on May 1st, 1954, in Pittsburgh, PA, in Allegheny County, he was the son of the late Jean (Tucker) Witmer and Richard Witmer.

He was a 1972 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School, then graduated from Penn State University in 1976 as a Mechanical Engineer, maintaining Phi Kappa Phi (National Honor Society) and Tau Beta Pi (ME Honor Society) then go on to work at RR Donnally & Sons Company.

Fred spent his career at RR Donnelly and Sons Company, starting in 1976. There, he cut his teeth in engineering, performing hands-on mechanical work and design of projects, including the planning, installing, starting up, modifying, and rebuilding of new printing equipment. He moved up to oversee installations, working as a Project Engineer until the eventual closure of the company in 2024. Fred volunteered regularly at the York Habitat for Humanity and donated to multiple causes.

Fred married Dona on November 26, 1977, after meeting in college. They went on to raise 7 children together in southern Lancaster County, PA, until her passing in 2021. He was a devoted and active dad who loved and supported his kids unconditionally. After his wife's passing, he moved to Etters, PA, to be closer to his children. He greatly appreciated many home-cooked meals, murmuring sounds of thanks at any crockpot roast beef or steak. Being with his family and enjoying meals together around the table was a great source of joy for him.

Ever since Fred was little and could hold a wrench, he started taking things apart to see how they worked. He was a natural engineer from the start, learning on mini-bikes and go carts when he was young, to competing on the college go cart team at Penn State. He took pride in building a Corvair-based dune buggy with a six-cylinder engine to be faster than the Volkswagen buggies of the time! Fred also enjoyed Jeeps and rebuilt several over the years, sometimes getting in trouble spinning donuts in construction sites or empty snowy parking lots. He loved bombing around town in his little red sports car and had a few dents and tickets to prove it. He also loved attending car shows and walking up and down the miles of aisles at Spring and Fall Carlisle to collect little pieces for his next build.

He was an active member of the New Covenant Fellowship church in Mechanicsburg, PA. Fred lived his life through volunteering and helping others. He gave countless hours of service fixing, building, designing, and helping family, friends, and others with any project. Fred will be remembered for buzzing around town in his little red sports car. His favorite quiet moments included sitting in his chair by a camp or woodstove fire, listening to his children and grandchildren around him, and smiling under his epic mustache.

Surviving Fred are his children Jared Witmer (Jill), Noelle (Witmer) Studer (Scott), Adonica Witmer (Aaron), Brendan Witmer (Adriel), Heidi Witmer (Chandler), Gabriel Witmer (Kim) and Roanna Witmer (Mike). Sixteen Grandchildren and brothers Tom Witmer (Jan) and Seth Witmer.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dona (Flickinger) Witmer, and his parents Jean (Tucker) Witmer and Richard Witmer.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20th, 2026, at New Covenant Fellowship Church, 4500 Creekview Road, Mechanicsburg Pa 17050 starting at 10am. A memorial service will follow starting at 11am. All are invited to honor and celebrate Fred’s life.