Richard Fritz

Beloved Dr. Richard H. Fritz passed away at home on Saturday, November 7, 2015. He was 68. Richard was born in St. Louis on May 5, 1947, the first boy of Dr. Herbert C. and Margery (Starr) Fritz. He grew up in Decatur; he left to attend Lawrence University, where he met his much-loved wife of 46 years, Nancy Davis. They were married on August 16, 1969 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Richard attended the University of Nebraska College of Medicine and was in the Class of 1974. He completed his Residency at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, then returned to Decatur to practice Internal Medicine with his father until Herbert retired 12 years later. He was on the staff at both DMH and St. Mary's, and continued in solo practice until his death. His capable and caring office staff was very special to him, and made his days easier. Many of the staff had been at the office for over 10 years. Richard loved his family and pets, lifelong friends, his patients and office, trains, gardening even when the heat was high and the rabbits tried to eat his produce, cooking large batches of beans, making burritos with assorted fillings, and being out in the country. He taught his children how to plant and dig potatoes, to always check to see if a train might be coming and if so to stay and watch, and never to go to bed angry. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother. He did what he did with passion, was quick to help and generous with his time and gifts, took pleasure in being available to his patients and could always be depended on by all his family. He had a quirky, kind, mischievous sense of humor and a very loving and loyal heart. He loved the Central Illinois landscape and would call home to be sure that his family members knew to look out the window at particularly beautiful sunsets; he was and is dearly loved and will be missed greatly. Richard avidly supported the Macon County Conservation District and served on their Board of Directors and Foundation; it was important to him to preserve the outdoors for the use of everyone. He also had a strong interest in business and economics and enjoyed serving on the Board of the Gerber State Bank of Argenta. He was serving as Director of Decatur's Harbor Light Hospice and was a member of First United Methodist Church. Richard is survived by his wife Nancy; daughters Anne (Jan) Jost-Fritz, Manhattan, KS; Julie (Travis Lee) Fritz, Chicago, IL; Becky (Andrew) Owen, Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren Felix and Fiona Jost-Fritz and Oliver Owen; mother Margery Fritz, Decatur IL; brothers Dr. Robert C. (Kate Pendleton) Fritz, Roswell, GA; Dr. Randall J. (Dorothea) Fritz, Rochester, MN, and sister Janet (Ed) Early, Charlotte Courthouse, VA. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Herbert C. Fritz. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 in the morning on Friday, November 13 at First United Methodist Church, Decatur, with a visitation at the church Thursday, November 12 from 4:00-7:00 in the evening. Suggested memorials include the Macon County Conservation District, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, or First United Methodist Church, 201 W. North St., Decatur IL, 62522. "
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