Frederick W. Gams

Frederick Gams could be most often found in two places.

First was his garage-workshop — home to his model trains and handmade railroad tracks that wound around the room. He would spend hours upon hours in his old, gray chair as he glued together model railroads and stuck plastic trees into styrofoam platforms.

The next was the beach. Any day he could spend a calm afternoon with his sunglasses, in a chair watching the waves was a good one. He would watch seagulls glide through the air and see the sun set.

Each place brought him a treasured peace. And on Sunday morning, when Fred passed away, his family is sure he felt that familiar peace.

The 89-year-old died in his sleep, surrounded by his wife, Eugenia, of 63 years, and Sheyla and Frederick Jr., his children. Fred is survived by them, as well as his granddaughter, Lizzy, his niece, Vicki, and many family members in Ecuador who considered him a brother and father figure.

He’s most remembered by his love of trains, ocean waves, his family and chocolate milkshakes. But the Baltimore area native is also fondly remembered for his service in the United States Air Force and work at NASA, two experiences by which he had hundreds of stories to tell. One could spend hours alongside Fred as he recalled his tales from abroad.

Fred always credited his service in the Air Force as what led him to his wife. He got a job at NASA after he left the force, and then was stationed in Quito, Ecuador. That’s where he met Eugenia more than 60 years ago. They quickly fell in love, married and soon after welcomed Sheyla and Frederick Jr. to their growing family.

Fred, Eugenia, Sheyla and Frederick Jr. lived in Ecuador up until the 1980s. They moved back to the United States as Fred continued his work at NASA, just a short drive from the family’s new Bowie home.

At NASA, Fred used his love of learning on projects such as the Hubble Space Telescope, an observatory that continues to revolutionize human understanding of space. He specialized in satellite communications and was a brilliant asset to the agency up until his retirement in 2014.

Those closest to Fred know him best as a kind, faithful man with a thirst for knowledge. Family members learned something new with every conversation, whether it be about trains, airplanes or outer space. He led his life with Catholic values in his heart.

Everyone knew him differently. But his loved ones agreed that he always tried to help those around him.

His family and loved ones will honor his memory at Beall Funeral Home on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Fred’s family requests donations to Folds of Honor.