Fredrick Eugene Forsyth

Fredrick Forsyth ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Parker-Millard Funeral Service and Crematory on Mar. 6, 2026.Fredrick "Gene" Forsyth, 95, of Columbia, Missouri passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 4, 2026.Gene was Born on August 26, 1930, in Randolph County, MO, the son of Fred and Ruby Kate (Johnson) Forsyth. Gene was raised on their family farm in Madison, Missouri.On January 24, 1970, he married Joan Fennewald in Jefferson City, MO. Together, they made Columbia their home, where they welcomed four children - Fred, Matt, Kate and Beth.Gene attended elementary and high school in Madison, MO where he was a basketball center, member of the band, and president of his senior class, graduating in 1948. After high school Gene continued to play basketball at Moberly Junior College, winning both state and regional championships as a Greyhound. Gene continued his education at the University of Missouri - Columbia earning Honors with Bachelors Degrees in Ag Science in both Animal Husbandry and Field Crops in 1955. During his college years, Gene was part of the Block & Bridle Team, the Livestock Judging Team and an avid Missouri Sports Fan. His love for Missouri sports continued throughout his life with a special devotion to Mizzou Football and the Men's and Women's Basketball teams.After his graduation from Mizzou, Gene was hired by the University where he continued research in seed improvement for 23 years and then continued his work with Central Missouri Seed until 1982- when he took on a career in Real Estate for next four decades.Through it all, Gene was best described as a farmer. At a young age Gene raised his own herd of cattle, pigs and managed a few hundred acres of row crops in Monroe county - earning several awards for showmanship and prize-winning livestock. After relocating to Columbia, MO, he continued to raise registered Polled Hereford cattle on his Boone County farm for many more decades. He shared that love of farming with his children, helping them raise and show cattle through 4-H, as he also did for 8 years in his youth. Gene's farming heritage was notable - so much so that at the age of 11, his family's farm in Monroe County was chosen by the National Agriculture Office in Washington DC to be featured in LOOK magazine during World War 2 - highlighting the impact the average American farmer had during wartime. Gene was then again featured on the cover of a post WW2 edition of LOOK magazine in 1943 entitled "He inherits the future".Gene was a devoted member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, an active member of the Knights of Columbus and a lifetime member of the Missouri Board of Realtors.He is survived by his devoted daughter Kate Quinn, her husband Robert Quinn and their children Hunter, Parker & Ashley Quinn all of Columbia, MO. He is also survived by his daughter in law Ellen Forsyth and his son Matt's children Maddison, Clayton & Jacob Forsyth of Orono, MN. In addition, Gene is survived by a brother-in-law, three sisters-in-law as well as many dear nieces and nephews.Gene was preceded in death by his wife Joan (Fennewald) Forsyth and two their children, Fred Forsyth and Beth Forsyth whom he lost during a tragic car accident in 1986. He was preceded in death by his other son, Matt Forsyth in 2020 due to a heart condition. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ruby Forsyth, and his five siblings and their spouses: John Forsyth (Bonnie), Isaac Forsyth (Anna Mae), Irene Bechtold (Robert), Dorothy Watson (David) and Jack Forsyth (Karen).Visitation will be held on Monday, March 16th, 2026, at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Columbia, Missouri prior to a Memorial Mass at 11:00 am with Burial immediately following at Memorial Park Cemetery.Gene will be remembered for his warm smile, sense of humor and tenacity for life. His family finds peace in knowing that his faith in Jesus Christ has brought him home to be reunited with those that went before him.Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association.Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.comTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.