Richard Allen Fritz, 95, passed from this life on March 20, 2020. He was pre-deceased by his loving wife Agnes Viola (Vi to everyone who knew her). He is survived by two daughters, Katherine and Linda, Son- in- laws, Craig Simons and Tom Feierabend; 3 granddaughters and 7 great grand children. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Richie (as he was called by Vi) grew up in Brooklyn, NY where he was the oldest lad of 3 boys. In May of 1942 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Richie joined the Marines and was sent to basic training at Paris Island. He was shipped out to the Philippines where he served his country until the end of the War. His job was as an aircraft electronics technician working on F4U Corsairs. Early in the war he met Vi through a letter writing campaign that she and her friends had started back in NY to cheer up the local "boys" they knew who were serving overseas. Riche and Vi connected through these letters, became engaged on a leave and were married in August 1945. They were married for 61 years! During their honeymoon, the war ended in the Pacific and Richie was free to return home a few months later to begin civilian life. He worked multiple jobs in Aerospace and ultimately retired from Grumman Aerospace Corporation in 1986. They lived in Huntington Station, Long Island for 28 years where they were active members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
After retirement, Vi and Richie moved to Englewood, Florida where they lived a happy and full retirement life. They later moved to Roswell, GA to be close to family after Vi was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Riche had a passion for life! He enjoyed cars, driving, woodworking, radio controlled aircraft and later in life he took up cycling which he was active in well into his late 70's. Richard was a proud Mason and belonged to the Babylon Lodge on Long Island.
Richard has lived in the Roswell area for 14 years. He was living in Georgian Lakeside, energizing and challenging both the staff and residents to higher levels of activity and achievement.
It goes without saying for anyone who knew him that Richard was a person full of life, strong character and strong faith in God, family and country.
A military memorial service will be held in the coming months at Roswell United Methodist Church where we will celebrate Richard's long life.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18