Trosko attended Flint Northern High School where he was a star athlete in football, basketball and baseball, earning three varsity letters in each sport.

Trosko also handled place-kicking duties for the Wolverines and kicked the extra point that led Michigan to a 7–6 win over Illinois in 1937.

[3] He received the Meyer Morton Award in 1937 as the football player who showed the greatest development and most promise as a result of the annual spring practice.

[1] With the entry of the United States into World War II, Trosko joined the U.S. Army Air Corps.

He attained the rank of captain and served two of his five years of military service in the European Theater of Operations.

[1] In 1946, Trosko was hired as an assistant football coach at his alma mater, Flint Northern High School.

He was survived by his wife of 53 years, Leona, a daughter, Maureen, a son, Fred Trosko, Jr., and five grandchildren.