Fredric David Gingrich

Fredric “Fritz” David Gingrich, 99, passed away February 7, 2023, at Town House Retirement Center in Fort Wayne, IN. He was born May 20, 1923, in Flint, MI, the son of David H. and Rose M. Gingrich. He graduated from Flint Central High School and he attended Michigan State University, because it was a small school, and completed a Music Therapy Degree. . Fritz was a U.S Army Veteran Staff Sargent and served during WWII from 1942-1946. This service resulted in a delay in completing his degree, so he returned to Michigan State and met Ellen Camp. A year later he graduated and proposed to Ellen. He was on bended knee at the Beaumont Tower on the Michigan State campus. He and Ellen were married on April 30, 1949, starting their lives together in Mount Pleasant, Iowa where Fritz worked at the state hospital. The next move for Fritz and Ellen was to the east, Wilmington, Delaware. This was where the first two children were born. In 1958 Fritz and Ellen packed up two toddlers and a juvenile delinquent named Albert aka Al and went to Fort Wayne for a his next job. He was the minister of music to family and youth at Crescent Avenue United Methodist Church for 10 years on staff. He also spent 34 years on the organ bench. Fritz and Ellen had two more children in Fort Wayne. As Crescent Avenue church grew and changed, Fritz left to work for Fort Wayne community schools, in the purchasing department. He worked for that department, eventually becoming the director and then retiring in 1997. Fritz was a life member of Phi Mu Alpha Symphonia and a member of Crescent Avenue United Methodist church as well as the American Guild of Organists. (AGO) While active in the AGO he developed a student program called “Room on the Organ Bench” that allowed young students to do a circuit of playing several organs in the downtown Fort Wayne area. He recently had attended an organ recital, at the Embassy Theater, of one of those young students. Fritz connected with an immeasurable number of people in his life, many youth who were forever impacted by his compassion, his understanding and guidance. Many of those youth, Boy Scouts, Youth Center participants and kids from the Crescent Avenue youth group remained in touch with Fritz over the years. He is survived by his children, David (Sylvia) Gingrich of Indianapolis, IN; John (Karen) Gingrich, Andrew Gingrich and Ruth Davis all of Fort Wayne, IN, grandchildren, Robin (Adam) Tramel of Fort Wayne, IN; Sarah (Justin) Borem of Salina, KS; Andrew S. (Brittany) Gingrich of Noblesville, IN; F. David II (Laura) Gingrich of Avon, IN; Matthew (Kristy) Gingrich of West Lafayette, IN and 6 great grandchildren. Fritz was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years Ellen C. (Camp) Gingrich, and sister, Irma Rogers. Gingrich. Funeral Service will be 11am Saturday, February 18, 2023 at Crescent Avenue Methodist Church 1232 Crescent Ave. Fort Wayne, IN with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also from 2-4 and 6-8 Friday, February 17, 2023 at D.O. McComb and Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home. Burial in Highland Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Crescent Avenue Methodist Church or Donor’s Choice. To sign the online guestbook go to www.mccombandsons.com