Robert F. Fritschi

Robert F. Fritschi of Bel Air, Maryland passed away peacefully at home on May 25th surrounded by family. He was 82 years old.

Bob was born on April 6, 1939 in Carnegie, PA to Gottfried and Regina Fritschi. He graduated from St. Luke’s High School in 1957 and moved on to St. Vincent’s College in Latrobe, PA. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 1961, Bob entered the United States Navy’s Officer’s Candidate School, earning a commission in the US Navy. He served in the Navy for several years, earning the rank of Lieutenant.

After resigning from the US Navy with a honorable discharge, Bob began his multi-decade career in industrial sales with US Steel in Pittsburgh, PA. After successful sales roles in Pittsburgh, Bob moved to the Baltimore, MD area in 1978 to enhance their sales office. Bob then took an opportunity with Dryden Oil as an area sales manager before becoming co-owner of Jarrettsville Hardware & Building Supply in Jarrettsville, MD in 1985. Bob then returned to Dryden Oil a few years later before starting his own company, St Andrew’s Associates, as a manufacturer’s representative for industrial metals. He held this position until his retirement.
Bob married the love of his life, Maureen McNamee on October 14, 1961. They were blessed with three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Bob’s most important and cherished titles were: Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle and Grandfather. He worked very hard in his career, but made sure he took his family on a vacation each year, most of the time to the beach with extended family or friends, that continually added to a lifetime of memories. Bob served as a coach and manager for his sons’ baseball teams. Bob was an avid golfer and was a member of Maryland Golf & Country Club in Bel Air, MD since he moved his family here in 1978. Bob was also an avid hunter, scheduling annual deer hunting trips to northwestern Pennsylvania for decades. At the age of 50 he learned how to ski and then enjoyed many family trips to Seven Springs. Bob was also a man of Faith and Service. He and his wife have been parishioners and volunteers at St. Ignatius Church in Hickory, MD for many years and he was a member of the Lions Club of Bel Air, serving in various charitable projects, always with a smile on his face.

Bob will be best known for his energetic and positive personality as well as a self-deprecating sense of humor. He was a very loving and caring family man that was beloved by family and friends.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Gottfried and Regina; sisters Mary Jean Donley, Doris and Ruth; brothers-in-law Ed Donley and Bob Hill; and nephew Bill Donley. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maureen; sister Elinor Hill; three children: Tom (Helene), Jim (Ramona) and Jean Rodier (Ed); six grandchildren: Amanda, Megan, Kyle, Daniel, Sara and Andrew; and two great-grandchildren: Logan and Noah.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes you to contribute to the Parkinson’s Foundation, The Little Sisters of the Poor or St. Ignatius Church in Hickory, MD.