Henry Allan Fritzsche

Henry Allan Fritzsche
January 9, 1932 – February 3, 2022

Henry Allan Fritzsche died peacefully on February 3, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina after a
magnificent life of 90 years. A Memorial will be held on July 1, 2023 in California.
Born in Cleveland Ohio, on January 9, 1932, his parents Margaret (McBarron) and William
Neracher Fritzsche moved their family to Los Angeles, California in 1935 where Hank grew up
in a tight knit family with close friendships. He graduated from Mother of Good Counsel
School, Loyola High School and Loyola University (now LMU). In 1953, he married his
beloved wife of 68-years, Kathleen “Pinkie” Gudelman, and joined the Air Force for four years
of service. The couple moved 10 times in 5 years, then settled in Santa Barbara, California
where they raised their family of 7 daughters. After living in Santa Barbara for nearly 50 years,
they followed one daughter and her family to Sedona Arizona where they lived for 10 years, then
relocated to be near another daughter in Charlotte, North Carolina where they lived since 2011.
After the Air Force, Hank pursued a career in business spanning various roles including contract
negotiation, finance, real estate development and mining. He sat on corporate boards and led
entrepreneurial efforts. He was actively involved in his community, including San Roque
Catholic Church and St. Barbara Parish of Santa Barbara; and St. John Vianny of Sedona. He
served in leadership roles in charitable organizations including St. Vincent de Paul Society for
those in need; Transition House for the homeless; and Serra Club for the vocation of priests.
Hank is survived by his loving wife Pinkie and his daughters Peggy Feil (David), Kathy
Fritzsche, Susie Van der Koon (Jeff), Mary Clare Fritzsche, Linda Meenan (Dan) and Teesee
Murray (David); grandchildren James (Lawren), Megan, Heidi, David, Michael (Danelle),
Kelsey (Mark), Spencer, Madeline and Annabelle; great-grandchildren Beatrice, Jack, Annalise,
Charlotte, Jackson, Connor, Elizabeth and Kathryn. He is preceded in death by his youngest
daughter Ann Marie Fritzsche, and his siblings William Baker Fritzsche, Clare Fritzsche Newell,
and Ann Fritzsche Felando.
He was devoted to family and friends, with life-long friendships from college (“The Otters”) and
from his life in Santa Barbara. Hank and Pinkie traveled together to all 50 States and enjoyed
several trips to Europe, Mexico, Canada and the Holy Land. He sailed competitively while in
Santa Barbara, was a pilot in the Air Force, and drove his motor home on many trips
crisscrossing North America from end-to-end. Hank was known for his strong faith, quick wit,
bright mind, and joyful heart.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30am on July 1, 2023 at the Risen Christ
Chapel of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Culver City, California. All friends and family are
invited to a luncheon reception nearby at 1pm. For reception details, please RSVP to Fritzschegirls@gmail.com.

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