Frederick T. Witmer

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

Fred was a 1972 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School and went on to earn his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University in 1976. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi (National Honor Society) and Tau Beta Pi (Mechanical Engineering Honor Society). After graduation, he began his career at RR Donnelley & Sons Company.

Fred spent his entire career at RR Donnelley & Sons, starting in 1976. There, he honed his engineering skills through hands-on mechanical work and project design, including planning, installing, starting up, modifying, and rebuilding printing equipment. Fred earned his Professional Engineering license, and he eventually oversaw major installations as a Project Engineer until the company’s closure in 2024. Fred also volunteered regularly with York Habitat for Humanity and supported many charitable causes.

Fred married Dona on November 26, 1977, after meeting in college. Together, they raised seven children in southern Lancaster County, PA, until her passing in 2021. He was a devoted and active father who loved and supported his children unconditionally. After Dona’s passing, he moved to Etters, PA, to be closer to his family. He especially cherished home-cooked meals, often murmuring his appreciation for any crockpot roast beef or steak. Sharing meals around the table with his family brought him great joy.

From the time he was little and could hold a wrench, Fred loved taking things apart to understand how they worked. He was a natural engineer, learning on mini-bikes and go-karts as a child and later competing on Penn State’s go-kart team. He took pride in building a Corvair-based dune buggy with a six-cylinder engine, faster than the Volkswagen buggies of the time. Fred also enjoyed Jeeps and rebuilt several over the years, sometimes getting into trouble spinning donuts in construction sites or snowy parking lots. He loved cruising around town in his little red sports car and had a few dents and tickets to show for it. He also enjoyed attending car shows and walking the miles of aisles at Spring and Fall Carlisle in search of parts for his next project.

Fred was an active member of New Covenant Fellowship Church in Mechanicsburg, PA. He lived his life through service by fixing, building, designing, and helping family, friends, and anyone who needed a hand. He will be remembered for buzzing around town in his sports car, as well as for his favorite quiet moments: sitting in his chair by a campfire or woodstove, listening to his children and grandchildren, smiling beneath his epic mustache.

Fred is survived by 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 his brothers, Seth Witmer and Tom Witmer (Jan).

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 20, 2026, at New Covenant Fellowship Church, 4500 Creekview Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, beginning at 10:00 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. All are invited to honor and celebrate Fred’s life.

Memorial contributions/donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity located in York, PA.