Introduced Version
House Resolution 50 History
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HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 50
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Thompson)
On Behalf of all Members of the House
Commemorating the life of the Honorable Eustace Frederick, civic
leader, business leader and innovator, member of the West
Virginia House of Delegates and distinguished West Virginian.
Whereas, Eustace Frederick was born on August 29, 1930, in
Switchback, West Virginia, and was the son of the late Eustace and
Annie Frederick, both of whom immigrated from Russia to pursue the
American Dream.
He came from the most humble of circumstances in the
coalfields - and he was born in what he described as "a four-room
shack" in Delta Hollow - and through his personal determination and
hard work, elevated himself into one of the most respected business
and political leaders in southern West Virginia.
Eustace Frederick graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1948
and attended Virginia Tech on a football scholarship, where he
graduated with a degree in mining engineering in 1952.
He served his country as a communications officer in the U.S.
Air Force during the Korean War, and later received a postgraduate
diploma in business from Columbia University in New York.
A long-time employee of Consolidation Coal and retired in
1992 as Senior Vice President of Consol's Southern Appalachian
Region, throughout his working years with Consol, Eustace Frederick
was an innovator and a champion of safety advances in coal mining,
and a pioneer of coal bed methane capture. This passion for the
safety and livelihood of West Virginia's coal miners continued
throughout his political career.
Among the numerous accolades which Eustace Frederick received
in his life, he took special pride in playing on the only State
Championship team at Elkhorn High School, and he was also named a
"Centennial Sports Great" from McDowell County by the West Virginia
Centennial Commission, twice awarded the Ralph E. Bailey Safety
Trophy by Consolidation Coal Co., joined the Virginia Tech College
of Engineering's Committee of 100 and earned their Engineering
Award of Excellence, was inducted into the West Virginia Coal
Association Hall of Fame, and received the Robert Francis Hamilton
Award from the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce for superior community
service.
Eustace Frederick was a lifelong member and devout supporter
of Saint Mary's Orthodox Church in Bluefield, West Virginia and was
an Archon in the Order of Saint Andrew.
He was married to Frances Q. Menodora Frederick, and had a
brother, Misha Frederick, who both proceeded him in death, and he
is survived by a son, Eustace Frederick III of Bluefield; a daughter, Carrie Frederick Frost and her husband Matthew of
Charlottesville, Virginia; five grandchildren of whom he was
particularly proud, Cyrus Jett Frederick Frost, Ann Louise
Frederick Frost, Ignatius John Frederick Frost, Beatrix Marie
Frederick Frost and Eliza Evelyn Frederick Frost; a brother, Daniel
Frederick and his wife Frances of Blacksburg, Virginia; and dear
friend and companion, Shirley Ofsa of Bluefield, Virginia.
Eustace Frederick was appointed by Gov. Gaston Caperton on
October 17, 1993, to the West Virginia House of Delegates to
complete the unexpired term of Delegate Bill Carper, and he served
the 24th District of the House of Delegates with distinction and
honor until his death, serving as Vice Chair on the Commission for
Interstate Cooperation in the 78th Legislature and Vice Chair on the
Committee for Economic Development and Small Business in the 75th,
76th, and 77th Legislatures.
The earthly life of Eustace Frederick ended at the age of 78
on November 6, 2008, at his residence in Bluefield, West Virginia,
leaving behind a legacy of loving dedication and commitment to his
family, community and state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the members of the House of Delegates hereby express
their profound sadness at the passing of one of their own, the
Honorable Eustace Frederick, civic leader, business leader and
innovator, member of the West Virginia House of Delegates and distinguished West Virginian; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the House of Delegates hereby
commemorates the life of Eustace Frederick, an honest, good and
decent man whose unique abilities touched the lives of many West
Virginians; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates,
prepare certified copies of this resolution for the family of
Eustace Frederick, including his son, Eustace Frederick III and his
daughter, Carrie Frederick Frost.