Frederick Jay Bischoff Jr.

Frederick Jay Bischoff, Jr., 79, of Missoula, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Sunday, August 3rd.

He was born on June 13th, 1946, in Oakland, California, to Mary and Frederick "Bud" Bischoff. After graduating from Oakland High School in 1964, he moved to Missoula, Montana, where he attended the University of Montana on a full-ride swimming scholarship. He was the high point scorer for the Griz swim team during multiple title wins and earned a BA in Anthropology and a BA in Sociology.

In 1970, Fred returned to California to complete his Master's in Special Education at the University of California, San Francisco. He immediately moved back to Montana, where he would spend the rest of his life.

Fred was an avid hunter, fisherman, fly tyer, outdoorsman, and conservationist. While his greatest passion was fishing, he also loved taking scenic, relaxing drives with his wife, sharing mischievous moments with friends, and retreating with Patsy to their cabin on Rock Creek.

He spent most of his working career as a mobility instructor for the blind through the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind (MSDB). In the summers, he cooked for wildfire response crews with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary and "Bud"; his sisters Barbara Hilton (Bischoff), Susan Cole (Bischoff), and Mary Alice Hilton (Bischoff); and his brother Bob Bischoff.

Survivors include his wife, Patsy; son Jason (Heidi) Bischoff and their son, Jaeger; son Bridger (Amanda Barta) Bischoff; brother Bill Bischoff; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula with a reception to follow.