Fredrick James "Federico"
Zerger
1949 - 2021
His magic can't be put into words.
Fredrick "Federico" James Zerger got his wings and flew
into the light at 3:14 pm, April 27, 2021. A gentle, authentic,
gregarious, sweet spirit, Federico had a beautiful smile and an
unmistakable bark of a laugh. He loved and was loved deeply in return
- by the family he was born into on February 1, 1949, and the family
of friends he created through decades of life and international work.
Spending his earliest years on the
family wheat farm near Moundridge, Kansas, Federico learned to drive
a tractor at the same time he learned to read and write. While he was
only delighted to leave behind the endless hard work of mid-century
farming, he never lost that special farmer's love-of-the-land or the
need to get his fingers in the dirt.
Federico graduated from Salina High
School and then Bethel College (KS). Upon graduation, he was awarded
prestigious fellowships from the Danforth and the Rockefeller
Foundations. He used the Rockefeller Fellowship to pursue a Master of
Divinity from Harvard University in Boston, MA.
While living in the Boston metro area,
Federico met the love of his life, Rosaura Cepeda, on September 2,
1986; both were working for Digital Equipment Corporation. They were
married on September 3, 1988 and several years later founded Four
Winds Consulting Network (which grew into Vision Quest, Inc.). In
1995, they fulfilled a years' long goal to move to Albuquerque, New
Mexico. Together they enjoyed many years there as international
organization leadership consultants and coaches, working with
individuals and leaders to gain understanding of the power and
richness a diverse inclusive team brings to the problem-solving
process. In subsequent years, Federico became a mediator licensed by
the State of New Mexico for work within area courts.
The Zerger Cepeda Albuquerque home
became, in the loving hands of Federico and Rosaura, a sanctuary for
themselves and for dear ones near and far. Federico spent countless
hours building and patiently attending to his backyard gardens,
connecting with his farming roots and ancestral spirits. Federico and
Rosaura's home was transformed into sacred ground over more than 21
years of gathering family and friends, particularly the annual
expansive Thanksgiving turkey mole fiestas, where all who shared
tortillas together became members of the Zerger Cepeda Familia.
Federico is survived by his beloved
partner, Rosaura; his sisters Kirsten Zerger (with husband Sandy
Nathan) and Ann Zerger (with husband Chip Parker); and many nephews
and nieces by blood and by spirit.
Memorial gifts may be sent in
Federico's name to Peacing It Together an initiative promoting local
and global peace and social justice through stories and music [a
joint venture of internationally acclaimed baritone Tony Brown and
Hesston College (KS)]. For more information on the initiative and
directions for donations go to:
www.hesston.edu/alumni/peacing-it-together/ or
www.facebook.com/Peacing-It-Together-103676511317539/
