A lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, Fred retired from General Motors' Wyoming Plant in 1999 after more than 31 years. He began as an apprentice Industrial Electrician, became a Journeyman, and went on to work in supervision and engineering. By retirement he led the Project Build Team, directing 42 skilled tradespeople, managing millions of dollars in purchasing, and building assembly lines and test equipment.

Fred has been a pillar of the local arts community. He volunteered with Festival of the Arts for over 50 years, including 25+ years heading its Regional Arts Committee, and spent a decade with ArtPrize, most of it as Director of ArtPrize for the Women's City Club. At his own Vinecroft Studios, he practices woodturning, wood engraving, and printmaking, printing note cards on antique letterpresses for his annual Holiday Artists Market and Vinecroft.com. He's also Vice-President of the West Michigan Avid TypeWriters and restores machines from his collection of more than 200 vintage typewriters.