Fredric Gerald Hang

Fredric “Fred” “Ric” G. Hang Fred Hang, 71, of Greendale, Wisconsin, passed through the dark valley of cancer into the paradise of Eternity on September 19, 2022, at Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa. He was born in Milwaukee on July 11, 1951, to Fred and Jeanette (Goller) Hang. Fred attended St. Catherine’s Grade School and Messmer High School, before entering the Redemptorists in 1966, at age 15. Fred professed vows as a Redemptorist in 1971 and was ordained a priest in 1977. He received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary, Loyola University of Chicago, and Marquette University. Fred was extremely gifted in communication and homiletics. He served as a formation team member and communications professor at Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, Wisconsin, and was Director and Professor of Homiletics at Chicago Theological Union (CTU). Fred left the priesthood in 1993 and, after teaching stints at Milwaukee Area Technical College and Alverno College, he went on to be an educational consultant with the Great Books Foundation, based in Chicago, from 1995 to 2017. Through Great Books, Fred formed teachers and enriched students throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and in South Korea. A gifted writer, Fred wrote award-winning short stories that were published in periodicals and books. Always rooted in spirituality, Fred completed a year’s residency in clinical pastoral education at Advocate Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee in 2017-2018 and was hired as Staff Chaplain at Advocate Aurora Southshore in Cudahy, Wisconsin, where he served behavioral health patients and staff. In 2019, he was invited by St. James Parish in Franklin, Wisconsin, to serve as their Pastoral Associate, a position in which he thrived until August 31. A man of strong faith, believing it was all about God having faith in him, Fred was an active member of Village Church (ELCA) in Milwaukee for a number of years. He was currently a devoted member of St. James Catholic Church in Franklin. Fred was passionate about prayer, meditation, reading, literature, photography, cooking, baking, nature, flowers, gardening, acting, theater, Broadway, and his terriers, Winnie, Fritz and Benji. On September 11, 2010, Fred committed himself in love to his soulmate, Kevin Wester, in Ephraim, Door County, Wisconsin. Fred and Kevin finally solemnized their love in marriage on August 28, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee. Fred is survived by his husband, Kevin Wester; his cherished sisters, Judi (Al) Hohlen and Mari Hang (Margaret Duckhorn); his beloved nephew, Fred Hohlen (Melissa McGonegle); his best friend, Fr. Tom Donaldson CSsR; and his pride-and-joy Schnauzer, Benji; as well as many loving friends. Fred will be deeply missed and always remembered with love, humor and joy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Jeanette Hang; his aunt, Betty (Goller) Schaefer; his cousin, Dr. Winifred Held; his in-laws, Bert and Verena Wester; and his terriers, Winnie and Fritz. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Fred’s life will take place at St. James Catholic Church, 7219 S. 27th Street, Franklin, Wisconsin, on Saturday, October 8, at 11:00 a.m., preceded by visitation in church from 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Fellowship will follow in the parish hall. A private family burial of his cremains will take place in the family plot at Arlington Park Cemetery in Milwaukee. Donations in Fred’s memory can be made to the St. James Parish Renovation Fund, 7219 S. 27th Street, Franklin, WI, 53132 (please write Fred Hang in memo of check) or to the Redemptorists – Denver Province, 1633 N. Cleveland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60614 (please write Fred Hang in the memo of check). The family is incredibly grateful to the Advocate Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital Cancer Care Center and the Zilber Family Hospice for the loving care they provided Fred. The Cremation Society of Milwaukee is serving the family.