Frederick William Catterall III ’53

Fred, who never was too far from his native Texas except for a productive four years at Princeton, died in Dallas April 26, 2007, of the effects of Parkinson’s disease and post-polio syndrome.

Born in Austin, Texas, he graduated from Austin High School before entering Princeton. He was a member of the Republican and bridge clubs and the Advertising Forum. After receiving his degree in economics, he enrolled at University of Texas Business School and pledged Kappa Alpha fraternity. He obtained his MBA in 1956 and joined his father’s business, Austex Foods, which processed popular products like canned chili and beef stew.

On June 22, 1957, he married Annabelle Williams, a Bryn Mawr graduate. Austex merged with Frito-Lay Inc. in 1962, and the Catteralls relocated to Dallas, Frito’s headquarters. Modestly, Fred said that he participated in a small way in the formation of a great business entity that is now PepsiCo’s “cash cow.”

Fred’s junior- and senior-year roommate and fellow Key and Seal member, Ned White, remembers Fred as a “genial sort” with “hilarious wit” who played a “mean classical piano.”

Our appreciation of Fred goes out to Annabelle; three sons, Robert F., Grady C., and Arthur T.; five grandchildren; and sister Jean Gillespie. We celebrate Fred’s spirit as we mourn his loss.