Howard Clifford Fritz

Howard “Howie” Clifford Fritz, age 78, of Streamwood, IL, born March 20, 1947, in East St. Louis, IL, died July 20, 2025, of natural causes. Howard spent his first four years in E. St. Louis, IL then his family moved to Villa Hills, a subdivision outside of Belleville, IL. He graduated from Belleville Township High School class of 1965 and proudly served for four years in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman 3rd Class Petty Officer (E4) and was Honorably discharged in April of 1969. He traveled to Vietnam aboard a U.S. Naval Destroyer U.S.S. Brush DD-745. His duties then included patrolling the coast of North Vietnam (Yankee Station), South Vietnam (Dixie Station), including the Gulf of Tonkin, and provided Naval gun support to troops fighting in North and South Vietnam. Howard also served on Midway Island and U.S.S. John W. Thomason DD-760.

Howard spent four years as a member of Tancred Chapter Order of DeMolay and the Black Knights Drum & Bugle Corps in Belleville, IL. He played a baritone bugle from 1961 through the first quarter of 1965 when he joined the US Navy. Those days with his Black Knight brothers were some of his best memories.

He married his lovely wife Nancy (Luehder) on May 23, 1970. They were married for 55 years and had two wonderful children. He could not be prouder of both Tim and Angie, and the strong, caring people they have become.

After the Navy, Howard attended Belleville Area College and earned an Associates Degree in Applied Science and graduated early to work at Western Union as a Teletype repairman. Later he returned to school attending night classes and earned his B.S. degree in Business Management in 1979 from McHenry College. McHenry College is where his grandparents met, so it meant a lot to him to attend this college.

He then began his 11-year career as a Senior Field Engineer, servicing large computer systems for Data General. Howard went on to sell Life and Health Insurance, including financial products to upper management. He chose a new career path by attending specialized classes in Detroit, MI, and became a Mainframe Programmer working for Compuware and Ajilon as a contractor working on the Y2K problem.

Howard enjoyed his time as a member of the Indian Guide program with his son Timothy and Indian Princess program with his daughter Angela. This allowed him to spend quality one on one time with both of his kids.

Howard was also active in his local community serving as a Bear and Webelos Scout Leader, Committee Chairman for Cub Scout Pack 195 and Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 195. He supported Veterans by becoming a life member in each of the following organizations: VFW - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5151 Hanover Park, IL, American Legion Post 1084 Roselle, IL, VVA – Vietnam Veterans of America, DAV – Disabled American Veterans Chapter 42 Addison, IL, VNC – Veterans Network Committee (providing Honor Flights for Veterans), the VFW National Home and the National Association of Destroyer Veterans (Tin Can Sailors). He also held the position of Newsletter Editor at VFW District 4, Chaplin at VFW Post 8080 Hoffman Estates, IL, as well as Newsletter Editor, Surgeon, Member Database and Trustee at VFW Post 5151 Hanover Park, IL. He served as an election judge for the local Republican party and was a life member in the NRA.

Howard enjoyed serving the children in his surrounding communities by becoming a professional Santa Claus. He was a member of IBRBS – International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas. He provided a level of kindness and Christian spirit as Santa Howard and was located at the Icehouse Mall in downtown Barrington, IL. He loved the look of awe in the eyes of the children and treasured the real meaning of Christmas – the birth of baby Jesus.

Howard is preceded in death by his mother Frances Ellen (Howard) Fritz and Father Calvin Clifford Henry Fritz of Belleville, IL. He is survived by his Son Timothy H. Fritz of Johnston, IA and Daughter Angela M. Fritz of Seattle, WA, two grandchildren, Thomas and Jonathan Fritz of Ankeny, IA, one brother Scott Fritz and his wife Katy (Morgan) of Arnold, MO, cousins, nieces and many wonderful friends.