Fred A. House, 72, of Rockhill Furnace, PA, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at his home.

Born on September 4, 1953 in Cromwell Township, Huntingdon County, PA, he was the son of the late Robert House Jr. and Ruth (Booher) House. He was united in marriage to Kristi Kling on July 5, 1974. Mrs. House survives at home.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Ryan House, daughter Somer Lantz; his grandchildren: Tiffany Lantz and husband Ashton Hassinger, Hannah Harris and husband Mason, Madilyn House-Groff and husband Samuel, and Jacob House; siblings Ken House and wife Phyllis, Connie Kriebel, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brother Dennis House, infant brother Gary, and brother-in-law Duncan Kriebel.

The first job we are aware of was when he was 6 years old.  He mowed grass for 25 cents a yard.

His first automotive job was at approximately 11 years old at Clayton Black’s garage in Pine Tree Village. From there, he moved on to more lucrative endeavors. He worked in five different saw mills doing various jobs. He sorted lumber, ran the main saw, and drove log trucks. All the while, he was building engines.  

In 1999, he started at Mack Truck in Hagerstown. He really enjoyed that job. He would work in his garage in the morning and go to Mack on second shift. Fred would joke that he worked at home and rested at Mack. Anyone who knows him knows that was not true — he worked a lot and slept a little his whole life. He retired after 21 years to devote himself to Kristi, his family, and his garage.

In the 80s, he helped Robbie Garlock with his small block Chevy late model. Hill Valley Speedway soon opened, followed closely by Path Valley, and provided a lot of business and friends. We can only guess at how many race wins and track championships were HOUSEPOWERed. We will keep it modest and just say many.

Fred became a Ford man after buying his first car, a Chevrolet Corvair.  He had many cars over the years. Our best guess is 47.  His pinnacle car is the one he is most famous for, a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe built by JSC Race Cars, powered by a 2.3L Ford Lima based engine, connected to a GForce, 5-speed clutchless transmission. He used this car to race with the ProStick and Warriors Outlaw organizations.

His typical ¼ mile performance was 7.60’s at 178mph follows:

60’ - 1.105 sec

⅛ mile - 4.863 sec

⅛ mile - 143.64 mph

¼ mile - 7.61sec

¼ mile - 178.07 mph

VP Q 16 Race gas, 1000+ HP, 36 PSI of boost

In 2020, at the Hail Mary Event at Budd’s Creek, James Smith had a spot pre-registered and when the event came around, he had no car ready so Fred offered to let him drive his. This is a “run-what-you-brung” type of event for bragging rights.  They showed up and pushed the T-Bird to its limit — and then some.  When that weekend was over, they had set the world record for a Ford 2.3L Lima based engine. 7.067 at 191.48 mph, with a boost pressure of 45 PSI.  For the next pass, they turned the boost up more and at that, the cylinder head lifted and they were done.  Upon investigation, the cylinder head had broken in half. We had kicked the idea around of what we could do to strengthen the block to head seal. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.  We have little doubt that the improvements would have allowed for a 6-second pass.

Fred still holds the world record with this 7.067 second run:

60’ - 1.06 sec

330’ - 2.963 sec

⅛ mile - 4.539 sec

⅛ mile - 155.40 mph

1000’ - 5.905 sec

¼ mile - 7.067 sec

¼ mile - 191.48 mph

His crew led by his lifetime supporter and crew chief Kristi was made up of Bob Crotsley, James Smith, the late Ronnie House and our fellow racers who never hesitated to help.

There is never a good time to go, but we feel that it happened as well as it could have. It was quick and painless. He was with the one he loved most at his own home. His family loved him and he knew it. He loved his family and they knew it.  Fred was a gifted engine builder and had a very mechanical mind. We would have an issue and most times he could fix it.  On the rare occasion he couldn’t, he would have a friend who could.A lot of people know of his talents and skills but I was just reminded by a friend he was so much more. The world has been focused on his skills with mechanical things, and rightfully so, but there was something else he was gifted at.

He was a great and loving man. He loved his family and was so proud of them. 52 years ago, he married the love of his life, Kristi.  This is not an exaggeration — in all that time, I never once saw or heard them fight. They were so symbiotic that each was what the other needed without forcing it or demanding it.  I know in time this wound will heal but the scar will always remain.

We miss you Dad (and Pap and Fred). Thank you for the love and life you shared with us and thank you God for giving me a role model and my hero.

With much love,

Kristi, Ryan, Somer, Tiffany, Hannah, Madilyn, and Jacob

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A visitation will be held from 2 - 4:00 PM, Sunday, August 2, 2026 at the Martin R. Brown Funeral Home, 565 Ridgley Street, Orbisonia, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Orbisonia-Rockhill EMS, PO Box 335, Orbisonia, PA 17243 or the Orbisonia-Rockhill Volunteer Fire Company, PO Box 186, Orbisonia, PA 17243.