GALT, CA (MPG) - A fundraiser at Squeeze Burger will support the medical care of a Galt dairy farmer following a debilitating heart attack.

Fred Denier, operating partner of Cal-Denier Dairy, suffered a massive heart attack on June 2, 2023, resulting in a traumatic brain injury that has left him incapacitated and comatose.

To help cover the cost of his care, Squeeze Burger will host a fundraiser on June 27. On that day, 50% of proceeds from sales between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. will be donated to Denier’s medical care. Squeeze Burger is at 10550 Twin Cities Road.

Denier’s family has also started a GoFundMe campaign.

The Herald spoke with family members of Denier, and Squeeze Burger owner Travis Hausauer about the fundraiser and Fred Denier’s lifelong connection to the Galt community.

Denier's wife, Cathy Denier, said Hausauer proposed the fundraiser after she visited the restaurant to drop off a flier for the GoFundMe campaign.

Hausauer said the event is a way of giving back to the community. He noted his long history with Fred Denier; the two have known each other since high school and participated together in FFA.

Fred Denier’s involvement with agriculture continued a family tradition, with a father and grandfather both involved in the cattle industry.

“From an early age, his parents taught him (a strong work ethic). He was taking care of 80 calves,” Cathy Denier said. “He was raising cattle long before he even worked on a dairy.”

Starting in 1981, Fred Denier partnered with his brother, Richard Denier, to manage Cal-Denier.

Richard Denier said his long-term partnership with his brother caught the attention of a cattle broker that the two worked with.

“He said, ‘Fred and you were one of the only two or three brothers combinations in the whole state that I can remember that actually got along.’ … Forty-three years we were together, and that’s a long time for brothers to work together,” Richard Denier said.

“I know he was really dedicated,” Hausauer said. “He was very serious about anything he did, loved his family. I know he was involved in Boy Scouts, so he loved giving back to the community, too. He’s just a hard worker. Most dairymen are hard workers if they’re going to make it and Fred was one of them.”

In addition, Fred Denier spent 15 years volunteering with the Cub Scouts and, as the Deniers’ two sons grew up, with the Boy Scouts, serving as cubmaster and scoutmaster. Cathy Denier said her husband enjoyed the leadership skills and practical knowledge, such as knot-tying and camping, that he gained from the Scouts. He helped with multiple Eagle Scout projects, including those of his sons, and accompanied the Scouts on community service activities.

Besides Scouting, Fred Denier was also a 4-H dairy group leader.

Learning about history, especially agricultural and military history, was one of Fred Denier’s passions.

“The best part of him was his knowledge,” Cathy Denier said, adding that he loved visiting dairies around the country to see their operations, as well as researching his Swiss heritage.

Cathy Denier said the family is looking at therapies that they hope will improve her husband’s condition, but the options involve expensive treatment or transportation. The money raised will go toward this treatment.

Hausauer emphasized the family’s need for funds.

“Fred’s been part of the community; he’s given a lot back,” Hausauer said. “Now this is our chance to give something back to them and their family in their time of need. Their medical expenses are exorbitant, and we just need to give them a little bit of hope, and this is one way to do it.”

Richard Denier spoke appreciatively about his brother.

“He was the finest brother you could hope to have and the nicest person you would ever want to meet. He was a great dairyman and a wonderful person to work for,” Richard Denier said. “I’d say, more importantly, he was a great dad and a devoted husband, as well.”

Before his heart attack, Fred Denier was a likable man who was easy to work with and loyal to his community, Cathy Denier said.

“He was the best friend, the best husband. He was the best dad. He was the best dairy farmer,” Cathy Denier added.