Howard A. Fiedler

Howard A. Fiedler died on January 16, 2025, in Galena, IL. He was born on June 24, 1941, to Howard E. and Jeanette Fiedler in Libertyville, IL. Howard spent his younger years growing up in Lake Geneva, WI where he attended Badger High School. During their junior year, he met the love of his life and partner in all things, Sophie Marie Schlachter. In 1963 after graduating from The University of Wisconsin Whitewater, he founded Black Dot Graphics in Crystal Lake. As a young entrepreneur, Howard worked tirelessly to get his company off the ground, often catching only a few hours of rest sleeping on a cot in one of the company bathrooms. Over time the company grew to have over 500 employees on 3 shifts and provided computer typesetting for major companies like Sears, Grainger, Crain’s Chicago Business, and McGraw Hill to name just a few. Howard married Sophie Schlachter on June 27, 1964, at The United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake. Howard and Sophie were very involved in the Crystal Lake community where they happily raised their daughter, Hollie, and son, Howie. Howard enjoyed tennis, skiing, running, biking, hunting, fishing, and golf, and even though he would often refer to himself as “Sammy the Sausage” on the course he still managed a hole-in-one on number 5 at the Crystal Lake Country Club. After many decades of hard work and success, Black Dot Graphics was acquired by The Devon Group, a publicly traded company, and after that Howard and Sophie retired to Galena IL. In Galena, an untapped passion emerged for breeding and showing Norwegian Fjord Horses. The farm became a new project with Llamas and Fallow Deer, but their horses took center stage. Howard traded in his vintage 1966 red Corvette Stingray convertible for a John Deere Tractor, and he swapped his daily suit, silk tie, and dress shoes for Carhartt jeans, work boots, and a Yazoo hat, and the rest was history. Howard and Sophie enjoyed their golden years working side by side on their farm, waking up to sip coffee on their screened porch in the Adirondack chairs Howard made, overlooking their beautiful property surrounded by the logs they stained by hand in the log home they designed and built. Over the years they spent time with their family on memorable trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Turks and Caicos, Telluride, Wisconsin, and Florida. Howard and Sophie were inseparable during their 56 years of marriage until God called Sophie home first on December 22, 2020. Howard was heartbroken and missed her deeply. Howard is survived by his daughter, Hollie Free, and son-in-law Alan Free, his son, Howie Fiedler, daughter-in-law Maureen Fiedler and his 4 amazing grandchildren—who lovingly called him “Papa”, Kendall and Cassie Free, and Jake and Spencer Fiedler, his brother Tom Fiedler and sister-in-law Debbie Fiedler and his sister Bonnie Eadie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard E. and Jeanette Fiedler, and by his loving wife, Sophie. If so inclined, donating to Hospice of Dubuque in Howard’s memory would be a fitting tribute as their unwavering support, care, and guidance for Howard and his family was invaluable and immensely appreciated during this difficult time. A memorial luncheon beginning at Noon will be held at Chestnut Mountain in Galena on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Please join Howard’s family there to share memories and celebrate his lasting legacy. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena is assisting the family.