Fredrick Eugene Platteborze was born on January 18, 1944, in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, to Frank Platteborze and Mary Leighliter. When Fred was two years old, his family moved to the Kalamazoo area. Fred attended schools in Kalamazoo and later graduated from Plainwell High School. He then joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged following his service. After leaving the Navy, Fred worked for the Kalamazoo Paper Company and the railroad. Around 1968, he joined the Plainwell Police Department and began a career that he deeply enjoyed.

In 1975, Fred began working for the Allegan County Sheriff's Department. He worked his way up to the rank of sergeant and retired after 27 years of service. During his time with Allegan County, Fred took the initiative to develop the Allegan County Honor Guard, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. He also worked part-time for the Plainwell Ambulance. Fred truly had a heart for serving his community and helping others.

A very giving person, Fred was always ready to lend a helping hand. In his younger years, he loved hunting and fishing with his best friend, Jim Lumbard, near the Cadillac area. Fred loved life and, up until his final year, enjoyed taking weekly motorcycle trips with his friends, who often looked to him as their leader. They would ride 100 miles just for breakfast. Fred also enjoyed spending his winters in Arizona.

Fred was preceded in death by his father, Frank Platteborze; his mother, Mary Lanphear; his stepfather, Vernon Lanphear; his grandparents; his grandson, Dustin; and the love of his life, Connie Woolner.

Fred is survived by his three children, Fred Jr. of Drury, Missouri; Heath of Battle Creek; and Alexandra (Scott) Selent of Plainwell; his brothers, Frank Platteborze (Nancy) of Kalamazoo and Vernon “Butch” Lanphear (Jackie) of Barryton; and his sister, Catherine Mangold of Kalamazoo. He is also survived by several grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fred will be laid to rest on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan, with full military honors.