Date of death: 4/5/2009
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1956
Reverend William Frederick Hendrickson, 76, died of natural causes on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. At his death, Father Fred was at home in Fern Creek surrounded by his immediate family during a concelebration of Holy Mass with Rev. Ray Hoffman. Father Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille Wethington Hendrickson and Edgar Hendrickson, and by his brothers, James E. and Joseph Patrick. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Ruth and Trish Hendrickson; 12 nieces and nephews; 26 great nieces and nephews, and many cousins from Casey County and throughout Kentucky. Father Fred was born September 26, 1932 in a farmhouse on Dry Creek Road in Casey County, KY near Clementsville. He attended Sulfur Run Elementary, a one-room schoolhouse, and was taught by his mother. He attended St. Bernard High School in Casey County, where he still owns the family farm, and graduated from St. Mary’s Seminary in Marion County at age 15. He graduated from Saint Meinrad Seminary in 1956 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 26. He earned Licentiate and Doctoral Degrees in Philosophy from the Angelicum University at the Vatican in 1961. Nicknamed “Gizmo” by his seminarian brothers, he was a parish priest at Christ the King, St. Aloysius in Pewee Valley, taught at Trinity High School and also served at the Cathedral of the Assumption, St. Edward, Guardian Angels and St. Martha. He served as Eucharistic Celebrant at Christopher East 1980 -2008. He taught logic, ethics and medical ethics at Bellarmine University 1961 – 2000, where he served at various times as head of the Philosophy Department, golf coach, member of the Board of Trustees, and Student Government faculty advisor. A nationally recognized expert in medical ethics, he gave presentations and workshops nationwide to address the most sensitive issues of life and faith with clarity, professionalism and affection. While at Bellarmine, Father Fred earned numerous awards, including the Msgr. Horrigan Award for Distinguished Service and the William T. Miles Award in 1991 for his assistance as a medical ethicist and coauthoring Kentucky’s healthcare surrogate bill. He was an avid golfer and grammarian, enjoyed playing cards and occasional trips to the casino. He was loved by most that knew him, but respected by all. He was known for his wisdom, wit and biting sarcasm. He will be missed by many. Expressions of sympathy – Bellarmine University Scholarship Fund.Published in The Courier-Journal on 4/6/2009 “