Fred Brink

Fred Brink, 74, of Toledo, OH, passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021. Born in Defiance, Ohio September 22, 1946. Fred grew up in rural Holgate where he attended Holgate High School, graduating in 1964. Fred received his Bachelor’s degree from Defiance College in January 1969, while working full time, including three years at General Motors Central Foundry in Defiance. After graduation, he worked one year in accounting in Saginaw, Michigan, at Central Foundry’s Division Offices. In 1970, Fred began a 20 year career at Toledo Edison, where he held several positions, including Customer Accounting Manager and Senior Auditor. While working at Edison, Fred volunteered at Toledo Edison Federal Credit Union on its Supervisory Committee and its Board of Directors. Those volunteer positions led Fred to a 23 year career in the credit union industry. Fred started as President of Toledo Edison Federal Credit Union. Under his leadership, TEFCU added new services and changed its name to Erie Shores Credit Union. Fred continued as President of ESCU following a merger with OC Federal Credit Union. Following another merger with Toledo Area Community Credit Union, Fred served as Treasurer, managing an investment portfolio of over $135 million. Soon after this merger, the credit union was renamed Directions Credit Union. At the time of the merger, Directions CU became the fourth largest credit union in Ohio. During his career, Fred served the credit union community as a Director for 15 years with the Toledo Chapter of Credit Unions, and for 10 years for the Ohio Credit Union League. He represented his credit union at several area Chambers of Commerce. Fred retired from Directions in May, 2013. Fred was an avid golfer – not good but he like it anyway. He proved it was better to be lucky than good with a hole-in-one at Heatherdowns Golf Club in 2007. Fred volunteered 10 years at the Jamie Farr Classic, golfed in the Edison Golf League for 20 years and for 28 years, went with 20 friends on golf trips to Tennessee and North Carolina. After retirement, Fred golfed several times a week with old and new friends, throughout NW Ohio and SE Michigan. As a sports fan, Fred followed college and professional football and basketball, NASCAR, and golf. Of course, his Number One team was the Ohio State Buckeyes. Fred was an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church, working at many church events. He chaired its Finance Committee and its Administrative Council and served 20 years as Treasurer. Following the closing of Calvary Church in 2016, he became a member of Westgate Chapel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marvel (Zachrich) Brink; brothers, Burdette Brink of Ayersville and Dennis Brink of Continental; and sister, Ann Brink, of Defiance. Fred is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Elizabeth “Carol” (Brounley) Brink whom he married in May 1982; children, Stephen (Brenda) Brink of Angola, IN and Christine (Jay) Brink of Churubusco, IN; step-daughters, Tanya (Cliff) Hardin of Seymour, TN and Laura Scarbro of Monmouth, OR. Fred is also survived by his grandchildren, Monica, Jared and Nicholas Young, Shawn Scarbro, Adam Schwab, Brittanie and Briana Mullins; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Lois Brink of Ayersville, Ohio and Mary Brink of Continental, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 23, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH 43623 (419-841-2422). Visitation will continue at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Friday, September 24, 2021, until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westgate Chapel or the American Cancer Society.