Fred McAllister, 68, passed away June 28, 2019, in Hill City, Kansas. He was born January 2, 1951, the fifth child of Willis Eugene and Gladys Christine (Roper) McAllister in Gunnison, Colorado where the family was living at the time. Fred went to grade and high school in Gunnison, and was a history major and graduate of Western State College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. It was there that Fred met Jerry L. Ems. They were married December 19, 1972, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Following graduation, Fred took his first teaching job in Rangely, Colorado. There he taught junior high for two years and then moved to the high school classes. It was here that his coaching career began. First it was junior high track, and then high school football and head girls’ basketball coach. During this time, the couple met Brady and Lisa Beek. They became almost instant friends. Not only were the guys coaching together, but each family had a toddler: Fred and Jerry’s son, Jason, and the Beek’s daughter, Candice. Although the Beeks left Rangely in 1976, the couple’s friendship spanned the distance between them.

Fred left teaching for several years and worked for an oilfield company in Rangely. However, his life was about to take another course, with just a phone call. It was from Brady informing him about a teaching position in Hill City. Fred was interested. His interview was over the phone with then Superintendent Bernard Allen. So the family, which had grown with the birth of Erin, packed up and headed east. They moved into a house in Bogue and Fred began teaching in the fall of 1982. His love for history was transferred to his students in his classes, of which The American Indian-American West, was his favorite to teach.

Now Fred didn’t know anything about the sport of volleyball, but that year he became the head volleyball coach. He held this position for 13 years, where he and his teams enjoyed many successes. He was also the golf coach for a few years. Fred was always willing to help out wherever necessary. Fred and Jerry worked tirelessly in the Ringneck concession stand. During the summer months Fred was employed as a crop adjuster, a job he enjoyed, especially since he loved the outdoors.

Fred had an innate ability to see those who were struggling with school or personal problems and was ready and willing to help them. He also paid very close attention to those who were having trouble academically. His door was always open, even well before classes started for the day.

Tragically, Fred was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when their youngest son, Matthew, was in grade school. Determined not to give in to the disease, he kept teaching. Gradually the MS took a toll, until Fred was forced to use a wheelchair. For two years, each early morning there would be Jerry driving up the school sidewalk, and Fred would begin his teaching day. And each late afternoon, Jerry was there to pick him up.
Fred so enjoyed the weight room and had a weight-lifting class. On the way to the Annex, the students would fight over who would push Mr. Mac up the hill! Gradually, this disease forced him to retire.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Carolyn. Left to mourn his passing are his wife Jerry of Hill City; one daughter, Erin (Ben) Bond of Olathe; two sons: Jason (Andrea) McAllister of Holdrege, Nebraska, Matthew McAllister of Hill City; brothers: Don (Carol) McAllister of Littleton, Colorado, Bob (Jook) McAllister of Gwinn, Michigan; sisters: Myrna (Elmer) Hicks of Bridgeport, Texas, Leila (Norman) Brashers of Whitefield, Colorado; and six grandchildren.

So many will remember his smile that just lit up his face and that unforgettable laugh. Those students who were around during his tenure will, no doubt, gather together every once in a while and say, “Remember Coach Mac when he did this….”

The family would like to share the following that was written by former student, Leigh Anne (Smades) Seeman, the night she heard the news of his death: “I can’t get Tracy Engel and Coach off my mind tonight. Is there volleyball in Heaven? Is he running her through some drills right now? I hope so! But I’m certain in Heaven there are no Triangles and no Balls in the Box, On the Red Line!!”

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