Frederick a Bichet II, 88, Hutchinson, passed away peacefully in his home on March 11, 2023.
Born March 14, 1934, to parents Stewart Bichet and Celeste Reynes, in New Orleans, Fred moved to Florence, KS in 1947, following the death of his father. Located near Florence is the Claude Francis Bichet farmstead, a homestead registered with the Kansas State Historical Society and established in 1858, by Fred’s great, great grandfather who moved to the United States from France after his service in the French Navy. Fred was incredibly proud of his family's history and the part they played in Florence and Marion County.
After graduating from Florence High School in 1952, he received draft notice and was stationed at Fort Carson, CO from 1953-1955, as the company clerk for the intelligence unit and was extremely proud to serve his country. Fred returned to Kansas after his service and continued his education and after some guidance from one of his favorite instructors he pursued teaching. He graduated from Hutchinson Community College (then known as Hutchinson Junior College) in 1958, and went on to Emporia State University, where he received his bachelors in education as well as master's in psychology and business administration.
During his studies he met his future wife and fellow educator Carol (Smith) and they married in 1962. They moved to Hutchinson where he worked for the USD 308 school district for 35 years as a teacher and eventually principal at Morgan Elementary.
Fred and Carol cared greatly for their local communities. Among many other services, they were both highly active with the Florence Community Foundation and because of personal financial experiences when attending college, in 2011, they started the Fred & Carol Bichet Scholarship for students attending HCC and would give annually to the HCC Endowment Scholarship Program.
Fred and Carol had two children, Stewart Bichet and Shauna Bichet, along with three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Fred was proceeded in death by his wife, Carol, in April of 2020, and his son, Stewart, in January of 2021.
He is survived by: his daughter, Shauna Bichet (Andreas); grandson, Ryan Stuhr (Emily); granddaughter, Viktoria Boucher (Jesse); granddaughter, Erika Heidebrecht (Taylor); and great-granddaughters, Charlee Boucher and Kayda Heidebrecht.
Cremation has taken place and there are no services planned.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the HCC Endowment Association – Fred and Carol Bichet Scholarship, or the Florence Community Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.