Frederick Martin Henschel, successful businessman
Frederick “Fred” Martin Henschel, 85, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, at his home. He was born Nov. 10, 1936, in Washington, D.C., son of the late Richard H. and Mildred M. Henschel.
During his high school days, Fred was involved in many activities, including as running back on the football team, where he first attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. Due to antics and what his parents felt was a general lack of direction, he was relocated to St. James School, a boarding school in Hagerstown, Md., where he graduated in 1954. Fred went on to graduate in 1959 from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Va., where he received a bachelor’s degree in business.
In September 1959, Fred married Joyce A. (Arrington) Henschel in Blacksburg, Va. They were happily married for 32 years until Joyce’s passing in 1991. In 2005, Fred married Susan S. (Steinmetz) Henschel in Chevy Chase, Md., where they both resided. They lived happily in Rehoboth Beach until Susan’s death in 2016. In his later years, Fred reacquainted with his great friend from college, Helen McCallum of Richmond, Va. They lived and laughed together in Rehoboth Beach until the time of his death.
After graduation and a short stint in the Army, Fred began his successful career at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in human resources and administration, and later moved on to the former Computer Sciences Corporation. In 1969, Fred accepted a new position with Leasco, owned by Saul Steinberg, a New York financier, and moved the family to Westchester County (Somers), N.Y. Then, in 1975, Fred and the family moved back to the Washington, D.C., area, settling in Potomac, Md., where he began a banking career with the National Bank of Washington, rising to become its president by 1979. Fred later teamed up with former CSC colleague and tech-entrepreneur, John “Jack” Ballenger, and they formed the Computer Equity Corporation (COMPEQ), a holding company that served the convention and government contracting industries under Federal Convention Contractors (FCC). He also owned a successful vehicle leasing business.
In 1999, Fred and Susan built their retirement home in Rehoboth Beach, becoming permanent residents there in 2015. He was an avid golfer all his life, being a member of both Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., and Rehoboth Beach Country Club, where he served as a board member. He also served on the HOA board at his Chevy Chase condominium. During college at W&L, Fred was a proud member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, with which he maintained lifelong friendships over the years. Later in life, in addition to loving a good card game of gin at the club, Fred focused on his impressive talents for building model airplanes and even more difficult versions of riverboats, tugboats, and other vessels.
In addition to his parents and his wives, Fred was preceded in death by his younger brother, David R. Henschel of Austin, Texas. He said his greatest joy was being a dad to children, Anne H. Monahan of Rehoboth Beach, John F. Henschel (Lisa) of Potomac, Md., and Richard S. Henschel (Cindy) of Rockville, Md. He also left loving grandchildren, Catherine “Cammie” M. Kohler (Ian), Caroline F. Henschel, Daniel “Simms” Henschel, Clayton J. Henschel and Grace C. Henschel; and two great-grandsons. We would be remiss to forget to mention Fred left behind his beloved miniature schnauzer, Fritzi. The Henschel family is forever grateful to Helen McCallum for her invaluable support and for surrounding Fred in love in his last months.
In lieu of a traditional memorial service, and in accordance with Fred’s wishes, we will have a small celebration for family and friends, with plenty of Gordon’s gin available, after the holidays.
Final care has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit Fred’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
