Dr. John Frederick Hiehle Sr.

Dr. J. Frederick "Fred" Hiehle, passed away peacefully with loving family present at Reading Hospital on Friday, June 19, 2026. He was the widower of Dolores B. "Dee" Hiehle, his devoted wife of 63 years, who he dearly missed following her passing in April 2024. He is survived by daughter Kristina Lynn Hiehle, son John Frederick Hiehle, Jr. (Marcia), and his beloved grandchildren Natalie, Maeve, and Greta.

Born March 21, 1934 in Fairmont, WV, Fred was the son of the late Frank G. and Erma C. (Henry) Hiehle. He was predeceased by his brother Frank G. "Jerry" Hiehle and his sister, Kathryn Jean "Kitty" Hiehle. He attended public schools in Fairmont through 11th grade, and completed his secondary education at Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, PA. He went on to receive his B.A. from West Virginia University and his M.D. from Jefferson Medical School, capping his graduation by marrying Dee, the love of his life, on June 4, 1960.

Fred followed in his elder brother's footsteps and joined the US Navy as he began his last year at Jefferson. Following his internship at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital and further training at the School of Aviation Medicine in Pensacola, FL, he practiced as a flight surgeon at Moffett Naval Air Station in Sunnyvale, CA before returning to Philadelphia for a radiology residency, also at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. Following residency, he served as station radiologist for a year in Da Nang, Vietnam in 1967-68, and closed out his service with two years at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital.

Following his honorable discharge, Fred and Dee moved to Wyomissing, PA, where Fred joined the radiology practice at the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, serving on the staff for 26 years, including terms as the President of the Medical Staff and Director of Department of Radiology (1993-1996). Fred and Dee were devoted members at Atonement Lutheran Church, serving on numerous committees and the church council. Fred greatly appreciated his fortune in life and felt strongly about giving back, serving on the boards for the Opportunity House in Reading and the Berks County United Way.

Fred was an avid bridge player, competing in a regional physician bridge league for many years. He developed an interest in sailing during his time in the Navy, which blossomed into a lifelong passion, first with small daysailers on vacation, then with progressively larger sloops and many gunkholing trips in the Chesapeake, and finally with a bayfront retirement home and dock in Saint Michaels, MD. He was a founding member of the Reading Hospital Sailing Association and treasured many spring and fall trips on the Chesapeake with his close friends in the RHSA fleet, with invigorating sails and tales of adventure when the fleet would raft up for evening cocktails and camaraderie in a serene anchorage along the bay. Fred and Dee were grateful for the opportunity for many international trips and especially loved many glorious summer weeks sailing and relaxing in Linekin Bay, Maine.

Fred was kind and affable and loved his social time with family and friends, but had a competitive spirit as well, which showed up in his bridge matches and the annual midweek sailing race during his summer weeks at Linekin Bay. He loved a gin martini and was always ready with a Bloody Mary for his special daughter in law, and fresh strawberry shortcake in season was far and away his favorite delicacy, which he was still raving about in the weeks before his passing.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 8 at Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Boulevard, Wyomissing, with inurnment at the church's columbarium. The visitation will be held at 10 AM preceding the service.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Opportunity House, Reading PA.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to serve the Hiehle family. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.