Otto Frederick "Fred" Onasch

Dr. Otto Frederick (Fred) Onasch passed away peacefully at age 86 at his home in Delhi, NY, attended by his loving wife of 61 years, Barbara Bruce Onasch, and surrounded by his family and friends.

“Buddy” Onasch was born in Troy, Missouri, on February 8, 1940, to Frieda Wieman Onasch and Reverend A.C. Onasch. He grew up in rural parsonages in the Midwest as the son of a preacher and a teacher, enjoying summers with extended family.

Fred graduated from Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA, in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. He then attended graduate school at Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in State College, PA, in the Biochemistry Department, receiving a Masters in 1967 with a thesis entitled, “The synthesis of choline-o-sulfate and its conversion to other compounds in plants.”

In 1962, Fred met Barbara Lynn Bruce, an undergraduate biochemistry student at PSU. They developed an instant bond based on being only children, and their relationship flourished.

On September 5, 1965, Fred married Barb in the Eisenhower Chapel at the Penn State University Park campus in State College, PA, during a service officiated by his father, Reverend A. C. Onasch, and attended by both of their parents and close friends.

Immediately following their marriage, Fred and Barb moved to Delhi, NY, where Fred started a job as a professor of chemistry at SUNY Delhi.

While teaching full time, Fred worked to earn his Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY. His Ph.D was conferred on May 20, 1983, with a dissertation entitled, “The determination of protonation constants of spermidine, spermine, and other polyamines by potentiometric and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) titrations”.

Dr. Onasch taught chemistry at SUNY Delhi for over three decades, retiring in 2000. He delighted in teaching and shared his love of chemistry with his students and the larger community. During his tenure, he hosted the New York State Two-Year College Chemistry Teachers Association and conducted a National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) grant entitled, “Improvement of Undergraduate Education in the Sciences Through the Use of Cooperative Learning with the Aid of Multimedia”.

While teaching, Fred also worked for many years as a plumber for Bob and Lois Ray of Ray’s Plumbing and Heating in Delhi.

After retirement, Fred continued to teach chemistry at Hartwick College and SUNY Oneonta as a visiting professor and worked part time at Dubben Bros. Hardware store in Delhi.

Fred was a devoted husband and loving father. The house Fred and Barb had built on Elk Creek Road became the home base for their growing family. Fred tended a giant vegetable garden and several fruit trees, as well as maintaining a diverse and wooded lot.

Fred and Barb found a family-centered group of friends, the “Bear Spring Mountain bunch”, through the United Ministry of Delhi. Fred’s love of social gatherings and ping-pong ensured a continual group of friends passing through their home. Fred and Barb also loved to travel and camp and spent many days camping with family and friends over the years. After retirement, Fred and Barb bought a small camper van and toured the country, including Alaska; as well as taking several overseas touring trips. They organized a yearly winter family vacation on Sanibel Island in Florida, where their four grandchildren learned to swim.

Fred was an active member of the United Ministry church of Delhi, taking on many roles including church elder. He loved music, singing in the church choir, the Catskill Choral Society in Oneonta, and local musical theater productions. He played trombone in the fireman's band and later the local Community Band. Fred was also an active member of Rotary International.

Over the past several decades, Fred and Barb hosted their children and grandchildren for magical summer visits, including countless backyard BBQ’s, s’more making, mint iced tea, local hikes, blueberry picking, food, baseball, and ping-pong tournaments.

Fred is survived by his wife Barbara, three children and their partners: Greg (Angela), Tim (Joy) and Emily (Jonathan) – and four grandchildren who were his delight: Chase, Franklin, Lydia, and Edwin.

Calling hours will take place from 5:00-7:00 PM on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the United Ministry Church in Delhi followed by a Celebration of Life service in the Sanctuary.

Contributions in his memory may be made to The United Ministry of Delhi, PO Box 111, Delhi, NY 13753.