Coach Frederick A. Hobart, 89, of Coldwater, a well-known teacher, administrator, coach, husband, father, and grandfather, died August 6, 2025. He was the last of three long-time basketball coaches in Branch County (Coach Floyd Eby 1943-1964, Coach Bill Zabonick 1953-1996, and Coach Fred Hobart 1964-2010).
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Coldwater with Reverend Barrett Lee officiating. Interment of ashes will follow at St. Mark’s Memorial Garden.
Arrangements are being cared for by Dutcher Funeral Home.
Fred was born April 12, 1936, Easter Sunday, in Coldwater to Rex and Crescent Belle (Glant) Hobart. He graduated from Coldwater High School in 1954, from Adrian College in 1958 and received his Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University.
He married his loving and devoted wife, Deanna Joy Mast, August 19, 1961 in Coldwater at St. Mark’s Church.
Coach Hobart loved playing and coaching and was encouraged and supported by his loving wife, Deanna. He coached football and basketball at Coldwater St. Charles for 6 years (1958-1964). While coaching there, the “Cougars” won two District Championships and played in two Regionals, one Quarter-Final and one Semi-Final (under Coach Larry VanAlstine).
Fred was then asked and recommended by Coach Floyd Eby, his high school coach, to replace him as the Head Basketball Coach at Coldwater High School. Carlo Heinkenien, Superintendent of Coldwater Community Schools, told Fred if he could get a letter of recommendation from Stan Albeck, (Coach of the New Jersey “Nets” and Stan Antonial “Spurs”), his Adrian College Basketball Coach, the job would be his. Coach Albeck said, among other things, in reply, “I hope you will give Fred serious consideration as it is my feeling that he is one of the fine young coaches in Michigan. I am positive he can produce what you are looking for at Coldwater High School.”
Coach Hobart started teaching and coaching at Coldwater High School in 1964-1965 and resigned as coach in 1983. He then went into Coldwater High School Administration in 1984 as the Assistant Principal and later as the Principal of the high school from 1993-1996.
After his retirement as Principal of the high school, he was asked by basketball Coach David Hammer to be his Assistant Coach in 1996 and then by basketball Coach Brian Stevens to be his Assistant Coach in 1999. He gladly accepted all of these assignments for a total of forty-six years of coaching basketball in Coldwater.
During his coaching career at Coldwater High School, the “Cardinals” won one Conference Championship, six District Championships and played in six Regionals, two Quarter Finals, and two more Semi-Finals. He began his coaching career at St. Charles High School in 1954 and finished his coaching career at Coldwater High School in 2010.
During his coaching career at St. Charles and Coldwater High School, they won one Conference Championship, eight District Championships and played in eight Regionals, three Quarter-Finals and three Semi-Finals (one under Coach Larry VanAlstine and one under David Hammer).
Fred was elected to the Coldwater High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Adrian College Athletic Hall of Fame and the Michigan High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
He was a member of the Michigan Coaches Association; the State Association of Secondary School Administration, Past-President of the Coldwater Education Association, a Life-Time member of the State and National Education Association. He was also a member of the Elks, Eagles and Moose Clubs. He was Chairperson of the Coldwater Recreation Board and a past member of St. Marks Episcopal Vestry.
Fred is survived by his daughter Christie (David) Pietrzak; grandchildren Alyssa (Jack) Raymond, Eric Pietrzak; great grandchildren Samual and Amelia Raymond. He was preceded in death by his wife Deanna Hobart and son Rick Hobart.
In memory of Coach Hobart, all donations may be directed to St. Marks Episcopal Church or Coldwater Community Schools Athletic Department.
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