Carl "Fritz" Bach

Fritz was born on October 9, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Walter and Thusnelda (Binhammer) Bach. He was baptized and confirmed at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Detroit and graduated from Detroit Lutheran High School in 1951. He went on to attend Michigan State University, graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1960.

During his college years, Fritz took two years away from his studies to serve his country in the United States Army. He served as a Private First Class and trained and worked as a Morse Code Operator, spending time stationed in Germany. While attending Michigan State, Fritz met the love of his life, Sally Schlereth, at Martin Luther Chapel on campus. They were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Rochester, Michigan on September 6, 1958, and shared sixty-five wonderful years of marriage before Sally preceded him in death in March, 2024. Fritz and Sally were devoted members of Faith Lutheran Church in Grand Blanc since 1964. Fritz served the church faithfully in many ways, including on various committees, as an usher, and as a tenor in both the Men’s Choir and Adult Choir. His love for the Lord was evident not only in his years of service to the church, but in the way he lived his life each day.

Fritz cherished his family and found great joy in serving others. His kindness touched countless lives. He had a gift for making friends and sharing a kind word wherever he went—even during his recent time in the hospital. He loved to visit with people, ask thoughtful questions, and always had a genuine desire to learn. Fritz was a wealth of information and history, with an extraordinary ability to remember details and stories. He devoted more than 50 years to his career as a veterinarian, a profession that allowed him to care for both animals and the people who loved them.

Outside of his work, Fritz enjoyed woodworking, creating many beautiful pieces that will be treasured by his family. He also loved reading, gardening and landscaping, and especially enjoyed camping trips with his sons and friends. Fritz's long life was a testament to the attention he paid to his health, his determination to keep going, and the devoted care he received from Sally, his primary physician, and his cardiologists throughout the years. Above all, his life reflected his deep faith and trust in God's plan. Fritz was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, but the memories of his gentle spirit, quick mind, warm smile, generous heart, and unwavering faith will live on in those he loved. He is survived by his children, Beth (Michael) Faulkner, Karen (Dean) Bentley, Dave (Sheila) Bach, Paul (Tracie) Bach, and Jim (Paulette) Bach; grandchildren, Kristen and Jon Neuenfeldt, Bryan and Abby Faulkner, Dana and Mike Katz, Bailey and Kevin Warren, Ian Bach and his fiancée Amber Smigiel, Hannah and David Starkey, Ethan Bach and his fiancée Lauren Helzer, Carl, Brendan, Luke, Liam, and Eva Bach; and great-grandchildren, Annie, Mary, and Thomas Faulkner and Finn and Dawson Starkey.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church Music Program or the American Heart Association.

Visitation will be held Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 1:00–5:00 p.m. at Hill Funeral Home, 11723 S. Saginaw St, Grand Blanc, Michigan. Visitation will continue Monday, August 24, from 9:30–11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 12534 Holly Rd, Grand Blanc, Michigan. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, with a luncheon immediately afterward. Fritz will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 12:30 p.m.