On January 19, 2024, Frederick Cornelius Kniesler, 93, joined his sons Rick and Chris in heaven. In his last days, as always, he was surrounded by family and friends who relished his humor and dedication to serving his communities.

Born on February 2, 1930, to Frederick Edward and Mary Ellen Kniesler, Fred was a lifelong resident and supporter of Upper Freehold Township.

Fred is survived by his wife of 70 years, Bernice (Bunny) Rottkamp; his son Gregory and wife Krista of Falling Waters, West Virginia, his daughter Maria Flynn and husband Mike of Weymouth, Massachusetts; daughters-in-law Rebecca Dorn and Kathryn Kniesler; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sons Frederick C. Kniesler Jr and Christopher D. Kniesler.

Of all of his many titles and roles, Fred's favorite was being "PopPop" to eight grandchildren (Sarah, Martha, Patrick, Peter, Constance, Christian, Amelia and Caroline) and eight great-grandchildren (Rosalie, James, Matthew, Vivian, Eleanor, Leander, Lucile and Matilda). He was an enthusiastic supporter of his family - happily traveling to hundreds of concerts, sporting events and ceremonies to cheer on his loved ones - everything from grade school plays to college cross-country meets.

Fred was a true life-long learner and he celebrated his connections to his alma maters. In 1946, Fred graduated from Allentown High School and was later recognized in the school's Hall of Fame. While working full-time and raising a family, Fred attended Rider University and received an Associate of Arts (1970), a Bachelor of Science (1973), and a Master of Arts (1980). In 2022, Fred received the Harold L. Conover Leadership Award, which honors Rider University graduates who have distinguished themselves as exemplary leaders in the field of nonprofit, professional, community or government service. While he only attended VMI for a year, Fred was also a proud member of Virginia Military Institute Class of 50B; being a "brother rat" meant a great deal to him, and he was proud to witness his grandson Peter graduate from VMI in 2013. Fred also served his country as a member of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves.

Fred devoted his career to public service, working to improve the lives of individuals. Most notably, Fred served as an Assistant Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor under Governor Thomas H. Kean and a Deputy Commission of the Department under Governor Christine Todd Whitman. He made a national impact in the field of workforce development, serving as secretary of the International Association of Employees in Employment Security (now the National Association of State Workforce Agencies) and the president of the National Association of Government Labor Officials. Fred's work in this area inspired his daughter Maria's career in workforce development.

Fred also spent many years working in Monmouth County - including stints as Manalapan Township Administrator, purchasing agent for the county and clerk of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

A believer in civic engagement, Fred was active in the Republican Party. Fred served as county chairperson of the Republican Party for Monmouth County for five years. Fred served as mayor of Upper Freehold Township for five years and in that role was a charter member of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors. Fred also served as a member of the Electoral College in 1984 and was a delegate to several Republican National Conventions.

Having grown up on a dairy farm, Fred enjoyed sharing stories of farm life and worked to preserve farmland and open space across the county. Fred also served as a commissioner for the Monmouth County Park System for nineteen years. Fred was also an avid book collector and proprietor of the Dusty Pages Book Shop, first at the Lambertville Golden Nugget Flea Market and later on-line.

Fred was a man of his word and a believer in the power of community. As a man of deep faith, Fred was a lifelong parishioner of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Allentown, NJ, where his family were founding members in 1869 and where he met his beloved wife Bunny in 1948. Fred served as a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 7333.

Fred will always be remembered for his positive outlook, his love of life and the joy he emanated while being surrounded by family and friends at his dining room table telling stories and playing games. He embraced his children's friends with abandon - happily including them in his world over many decades.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10am on Friday, February 2nd, at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 1282 Yardville-Allentown Rd, Allentown. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. A viewing will be held Thursday, February 1st from 2 pm to 4 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm at Peppler Funeral Home in Allentown, NJ with a wake service to be held at 7:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred's name to the Monmouth County Park System Friends of the Parks at P.O. Box 686, Lincroft, NJ 07738 ( https://www.friendsofmonmouthcountyparks.com ) or the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy at P.O. Box 951, Stockbridge, Massachusetts 01262  ( https://www.shrineofdivinemercy.org ).