Dr. Frederic William Lathrop, Jr.

March 7, 1926 - August 3, 2021

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service

Calvary Bible Church

144 Readington Road

Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889

908-534-9445 |

Saturday 9/25, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

cemetery

Hillside Cemetery

1401 Woodland Avenue

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908-756-1729 |

Burial with his beloved wife took place privately.

Dr. Fred Lathrop Jr. was born March 7, 1926 to Dorothy Smith Lathrop and Dr. Frederic William Lathrop Sr. when his father was in medical school at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. After that, the family moved to Philadelphia and then to Plainfield, NJ where Frederic Sr. became the first pediatrician at Mulhlenberg Hospital. Fred grew up at 1400 Evergreen Avenue and went to the local public school until 9^th grade. He transferred to the Lawrenceville Prep School and graduated in September 1943. He attended Cornell University and then enlisted in the army from 1944-1946. After World War II, he returned to the Weill Cornell Medical School and finished his medical studies in NYC, graduating in 1952.

He met his wife, Dorothy June Mathewson, who also worked in NYC. They were married in 1952 and began their life together in Camden while he worked at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for 2 years. After that, he joined his father in their pediatric practice in Plainfield. He eventually took over the practice and moved it to Sheridan Avenue in Plainfield. He was a leading pediatrician in Plainfield until he retired in1993.

Fred loved his children!! His first daughter, Barbara, was born in 1953. Then came Marjorie (Jorie) in 1956, twins Beatrice (Bebe) and Elizabeth (Betsy) in 1957, a son Frederic III (Eric) in 1959 and Mary in 1961. It was a full household! Despite his busy medical practice, Fred made time for his children, taking them camping and making a trip to California and back in an RV. He loved to ski and used the RV to take his children and their friends skiing as well. He chose to build his office next to his house so that he could come home for lunch and be there at dinner with the family.

Upon his retirement, Fred and his wife moved to Readington Township and became members of Calvary Bible Church of Whitehouse Station, NJ. They loved to host Bible studies and help with Vacation Bible School.

June died in 2004 and later Fred’s oldest daughter, Barbara, and her husband Paul moved in to live with him. He was very active into his 90’s – driving, swimming in the pool, hosting family reunions and serving in church. His greatest joy was to tell people about Jesus and how he had received salvation through his Name.

In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his wife, June; a brother, Dr. Richard Lathrop; a son-in-law, David (Whitey) Roberts; and two grandsons, Billy McCaw and Eric Larson.

Surviving are his children and their spouses, Barbara and Paul Starosciak, Jorie Roberts, Betsy and Mark Sebastian, Bebe and Ron Larson, Eric and Sondra Lathrop, and Mary and Bob McCaw; his fourteen grandchildren and their spouses, Twila and Dan Iten, Paul Starosciak, Lindsey and Dave Butterfield, Allie Sebastian, Justin and Maya Jordan, Rachel Larson, Emily Larson and Kyle Whitehouse, Andrew Larson, Lauren and Matt Bookman, Kristi Lathrop, Tyler Lathrop, Kelsey McCaw, Carrie and Leon Knight, and Matt McCaw; his nine great grandchildren, Jackson Knight, Brooklyn Knight, Calin Butterfield, Evely Butterfield, Sloane Butterfield, Elliana Iten, Peter Iten, June Jordan, and Avalyn Bookman; a brother, Dr. Donald Lathrop; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A celebration of Fred’s life is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Calvary Bible Church, 144 Readington Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889.

Burial with military honors took place privately at Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains, NJ.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Fred’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Fred’s honor may be made to Calvary Bible Church, via mail to 144 Readington Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

Calvary Bible Church

144 Readington Road

Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889

908-534-9445 | Map

Saturday 9/25, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Hillside Cemetery

1401 Woodland Avenue

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908-756-1729 | Map

Burial with his beloved wife took place privately.

Dr. Frederic William Lathrop, Jr., age 95 years, of Readington Township, NJ, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, surrounded by his loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice. Dr. Fred Lathrop Jr. was born March 7, 1926 to Dorothy Smith Lathrop and Dr. Frederic William Lathrop Sr. when hisContinue Reading

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You were my hero, thank you for your patience and devoted care. I’ll always treasure The times you came to my house , to help my friends nursing our babies, our LaLeche Group. You counseled me through a divorce, you were one of a kind. Love how you always referred to June and I, as you gave me examples of child rearing, not text book, but from personal experience. May the holy father take you home, give you restored health. Rest In Peace my doctor of so many things. God bless you and your beautiful family, your love for mankind, will continue to March on.

Doc Lathrop was a dear saint, always quick to help in the church, up on a latter putting in light bulbs. My memory was him leading a Bible study at the home of the Cipriano's in Bridgewater. His knowledge of the Bible was amazing. He had a wonderful wife, June, who I remember at her memorial had a journal for every year. Now Doc is with June at the feet of Jesus. "Bless Be The Tie That Binds Our Hearts In Christian Love." Till we meet again at that "great reunion". Love in Christ.

1606 Lindy Park Dr. Clemmons, NC 27012

Betsey and Bebe, Sorry for the loss of your remarkable dad. I remember him being kind and having a quiet sense of humor. I felt nurtured in your family environment and remember going to the evangelical church your family worshipped at. Comfort to you and your families at this sad time.
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Uncle Fred was such a kind and gentle man. He was devoted to his family and to the Lord. He was a great example of living out his faith by helping others. I will miss his interesting stories about our family genealogy. May you all be comforted by your wonderful memories of him.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

It is with great love and respect that I remember my Uncle. Visiting the Lathrop home was a joy filled with love, pop quizzes, games and patient tutelage. A steadfast friend to my father, loving son-in-law and caregiver to my grandparents, Uncle Fred was a blessing to our family and all who came into contact with him. The wonderful example of kindness and love expressed by June and Fred Lathrop will continue to bless for years to come.

♥️My condolences to the Lathrop Family may the God of our salvation continue to comfort and strengthen you during your time of bereavement ♥️

I want to send blessings and love to the entire Lathrop Family. Dr. Lathrop was so serene. As a young mother who panicked easily, he always talked very calmly. One time I called and was upset that my kids didn't want to eat any regular food just wanted ice cream. He calmly said so let them eat ice cream, they will tire of it. He has left a mark on my heart for being him.

Dr. Lathrop was my pediatrician when I lived in South Plainfield. He was a wonderful doctor. Condolences to the family. May he rest in peace.

I remember playing in your pool as a child, I remember discussing with you the deer in your backyard that were eating all the small plants and then seeing the bandits first hand, I remember visiting with you in California after your mission to Africa and how pleased you were to have participated in touching nearly 500 lives of people who were in need of faith. The last chapter of Fred and June finally has an ending. Your numerous good works as a couple will transcend future generations. You are loved by many and respected by all.

Dr. Lathrop and June led my parents to a true understanding of Jesus. Because they housed a student who worked at a teen VBS, I came to know Jesus as well. Being neighbors I also recall fun times in the pool. Dr. Lathrop was my most memorable pediatrician and a smile comes to my face picturing the riding toy in his office. I thank God for his obedience to the Lord, it has produced such beautiful fruit in my life. May you all be comforted during this time. I am sure God said well done good and faithful servant to him!

Dad, You were the best dad ever! After a long day at the office, you enjoyed playing and rough-housing with all six of us. You loved to explain medical things. I wasn't particularly interested but I liked to carry your black bag and go on house calls with you. You chose to build your office next to our house so that you could come home for lunch and dinner. If I needed help with homework, you would squeeze me in between patients. Several times homeless people showed up on our doorstep because they knew you would help them. You encouraged us to be physically fit and modeled that yourself. In your 90's, you still worked outside in your yard. As I took care of you those last weeks, you were still trying to lift your legs and arms to help me dress you. Thank you for everything and I will try to remember your example.

To my Dad, Fred Lathrop: You led an exemplary life: 1) You were hard working - Friday was your only day off each week, and despite being your day off, you would ask for Mom’s ‘to-do’ list and crossed off each item as you completed it, for her and for us; 2) You were dedicated to family – You gave each child attention as needed – You always tried to ‘teach us’ things (too bad I had no interest in learning how to connect color-coded phone wires to a phone receiver to fix it and make it work again…I did understand why it was important to learn to change a flat tire when I started driving your car, but I never really understood why I had to be ‘timed’ to compete the tire change in under 5 minutes flat??? - You bought a motor home so we could travel frequently together as a family: we took so many ski trips together, plus a 2-month long trip to CA and back one summer – You drove 6 kids everywhere they needed/wanted to go over the many years, then lent your car to each so they could drive themselves once they were of age; 3) You were dedicated to God and church – You served as elder, deacon, usher, Bible study leader and more (in younger years), yet were happy to serve as ‘maintenance’ help to empty garbage and change lightbulbs, things that no one ever noticed, in older years. You taught us to serve God and others whenever and wherever and whatever. Thank you for being you. Love you and miss you Dad!

Dad, I love you so much and are so thankful that you are with God and our other dear family. members. You were a wonderful father and taught me so much. I love imagining you walking and talking again.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.