For those of you who knew Fred, he was a good man.

From an email sent around by Ross Saxon, a close friend of Fred:

Subject: Fred Aichele
Friends. I regret to inform you that Fred Aichele - our friend - passed this morning after a long illness. Fortunately; the last days of his life were comfortable as he was in no pain and was surrounded by his family and many friends who attended his going away party last weekend at his home. A good time (although sad) was had by all as we celebrated the life of this man. His eyes lit up with the many stories told and the threats that he get up and join the festivities.

Fred was, to me, a shipmate, a brother, and a friend; a man who could be relied upon to always do what he said he would, to have a ready joke and a kind word. Fred was - despite his often gruff exterior - a sensitive and kind person willing to help anyone who deserved it. He was a mentor to an entire generation of fledgling divers and a gentleman who took what came along and either absorbed it or overcame it.

Fred's wife Barbara has had their son Bob with her for these past few weeks. He has been a rock to the family and a shoulder for her to lean on. Please give them the time to get over these next few difficult days. I'll keep you advised as to plans but I understand that there will be no services.

In closing, I'm sure I will have missed other friends of Fred on this Email. Please help by forwarding it to those whom I missed - with my apologies!

All the best

Ross