Russel Glenn Fritz, 91, of Silver Spring, Md., went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 1 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Russel was employed at the National Geographic Society as a Cartographic Editor for 34 years and is credited with locating the true source of the Amazon River. He was an active member of Marvin Memorial Methodist Church for over 60 years, where he served in many capacities and was active with Boy Scout Troop 249 for nearly 40 years. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking and spending summers at his cottage at Pemaquid Point.
Russel proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII as a rifle range instructor and was involved in the invasion of Okinawa where he was injured in combat.
Russel was preceded in death by brothers, Roland, and Gordon; infant sisters, Eleta, and Lila Fritz; and grandson, Craig Fritz.
Born Sept. 22, 1922 in Bloomsburg, Penn., he is survived by his loving wife, Grace Reese Fritz; brothers, Eston and wife Arlene Fritz, and Harry and wife Ellie Fritz of Lewisburg, Penn.; children, Leslie and husband Paul Gauthier of Greensburg, Penn., Roger and wife JoAnne Fritz of Middletown, Md., Paul Fritz of Hagerstown, Md., Glen and wife Anne Fritz of Frederick, Md., and Laura Fritz and partner Robert Tamargo of Gaithersburg, Md.; grandchildren, Brandon Gauthier, Jason Fritz, Ryan Fritz, Travis Fritz, Jaclyne Fritz, Keith Fritz, Christopher Pollard, John Gauthier, Stacey Robert, and Melissa Sidebottom; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service was held Feb. 9 at the Marvin Memorial Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md. Internment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 108 Byte Dr., Suite 103, Frederick, MD 21702.
