Obituary of Roger Jay Fritz
Fritz, Dr. Roger J. Age 82, passed away in his Naperville home of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer on Thursday, March 24, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kathryn and daughters Nancy and Sue Fritz. Dr. Fritz graduated with a BA in Political Science from Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL in 1950 where he met his wife Kathryn. From 1961 1969 he served as the chairman of the Board of Trustees at Monmouth College. He earned a Master's Degree in Speech and a PhD in Educational Counseling from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1952 and 1956 respectively. Dr. Fritz worked as Assistant Dean of Men and Assistant Professor at Purdue University from 1953 1956. He was manager of Public Relations at Cummins Engine Company and secretary of Cummings Foundation from 1956 1959. He ended his six year career at John Deere and Co. as Director of Management Development and Personnel Research and Director of the John Deere Foundation. At the age of 39, he became President of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. In 1972 he founded Organization Development Consultants in Naperville and served over 400 clients. In 1988 he founded his own publishing company, Inside Advantage Publications. He was a prolific author of over 63 books on management development and personnel motivation / self-help, distributed and translated in 38 countries and languages. Dr. Fritz was preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Ruth Fritz, his sister Rebecca Mangus, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sister and brother- in laws as well as his mother and father- inlaw. He is survived by two brothers Harlan (Helen) Fritz and Stanley (Ann) Fritz.; nephews Terry (Jill) Rehn, Robert (Sherry) Rehn, James (Sandy) Petersen; nieces, nephews; and many loving friends and close business associates. Dr. Fritz enjoyed writing books, short articles, quotes as well as composing songs and lyrics. He played golf and enjoyed boating and snorkeling during family vacations. He loved spending time at the farm homestead where Kathryn grew up in Monmouth, IL and vacationing in Frankfort, Michigan with family and friends. He made many crafts in his workshop that his family will treasure. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Rd. Naperville, IL. A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery in Monmouth, IL. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church, Monmouth, IL or charity of donor's choice. Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home and Crematory 516 S. Washington St. Naperville, IL 60540 Info 630-355-0264 www.beidelmankunsch@aol.com