Frederick Vincent Koerber Jr. passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Born Oct. 29, 1946, he was the son of Frederick Vincent Sr. and Iva Giles Koerber. Fred graduated from Brunswick High School in 1966 and from Gorham State College in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in education. On June 7, 1969, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Kathy Fox. Later, he earned a master’s degree in technology from Lesley College in Boston.
Fred began teaching history and archaeology at Brunswick Junior High School in 1970. He also coached basketball. After 25 years in the Junior High School, he moved to Brunswick High School to continue teaching and coaching. Throughout his 38-year career in education, Fred’s passion for teaching was obvious to students, parents and colleagues. He was known for challenging his students, many of whom became lifelong friends.
As a pioneering coach, Fred helped create an environment of equality between the boys and girls basketball programs at Brunswick Junior High School. He later coached at Brunswick High School, where he mentored standout players Rita O’Connor Maines and Joanne Palombo McCallie. McCallie became the first female athlete from Maine to be named a Parade All-American. During his seven seasons coaching Brunswick High girls basketball, his teams made six tournament appearances.
Fred later returned to Brunswick Junior High School to coach the boys team and went on to serve for more than a decade as an assistant coach under Todd Hanson with the Brunswick High boys basketball program. In 2002, Brunswick High won the Class A state championship.
The ocean played an important role in Fred’s life through memories made with his family on the water and his love of commercial lobstering. An avid woodworker, historian and environmental advocate, he served on various public service committees, including the Brunswick Recreation and Open Space Task Force and the Comprehensive Planning Committee. He was a member of the Merry Meeting Pioneer Project and the Maine Archaeological Society, and a board member of the Pejepscot Historical Society and the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Fred also enjoyed traveling with Kathy. They had many memorable adventures on beaches in the Caribbean and exploring Ireland with his family.
Fred is survived by his wife, Kathy; his son Kyle and Kyle’s wife, Sarah; his son Kristofer and Kristofer’s wife, Cait; and his two grandchildren, Iva and Eli.
A celebration of Fred’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, in the Crooker Theater at Brunswick High School, with a reception to follow in the cafeteria. There will be an opportunity to share memories and stories of Fred’s life. If you have photos you would like to share, please email them to kylekoerber@hotmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CHANS Home Health & Hospice, 60 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, ME 04011. Memories and condolences can be shared at brackettfh.com.
