Philip Francis Friedrich

Philip Francis Friedrich, ardent lover of NASCAR and boating, passed away at home on Oct. 15, 2024. Phil was born in Fullerton to Richard and Frances Friedrich in 1941. He was raised in Buena Park and graduated from Buena Park High. He then went on to Cal State Fullerton, where he met his wife Kathy and earned his MBA. Phil and Kathy married in 1966 and moved to Yorba Linda where they had their first daughter and Phil worked for Autolite division of Ford Motor Company. In 1969 they moved to the San Fernando Valley, had a second daughter, who sadly passed away 17 months later, and shortly thereafter had their son.

Phil worked in various positions at Norris Industries, starting as Director of Marketing for Price Pfister, then moving up to president of Artistic Brass and later Thermador/Waste King. After leaving Thermador, he then followed his entrepreneurial spirt, firstly starting and running an aftermarket wheel distributor. He then later founded Friedrich & Associates, a product development and global sourcing company specializing in residential lighting and decorative plumbing products. He was a man who liked to stay busy!

Phil and Kathy moved back to Fullerton in 1979, buying from her parents the house that Kathy had lived in as a teenager. This remained his home until his death.

Phil always loved boats and cars, passions shared with his brother and best friend Paul. They spent many years showing cars around Southern California and boating throughout Mexico and to Catalina until shortly before his death. In 2006 Phil and Kathy bought arguably their favorite boat in Florida, and Phil, along with his brother, took on the exciting task of bringing it home to Long Beach via the Panama Canal. Phil and Kathy very much enjoyed their summer boating months in Cherry Cove.

Phil is survived by his wife Kathy, brother Paul and sister Diane, daughter Heidi and son Mike, and grandsons Holden and Sidney.

His fiery and generous spirit will be missed.