Bertold R. Fritz

Bertold R. Fritz, 97, of Coffee Springs, AL, passed away Sunday, February 17, 2019 peacefully at his home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 22, 2019 at St. John the Evangelist Church with Father Zachary Greenwell officiating. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Bert was born on July 11, 1921 in Grafenhausen, Germany and earned a doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Freiburg. He served in the war on the Russian front from 1941 to 1945 followed by two years as a prisoner of war in France. In 1955 he joined a predecessor organization of Texaco in Germany and spent a career spanning over 30 years with Texaco in the oil and petrochemical business. In 1978 he was transferred to the U.S. and rounded out his career with Texaco in New York as President of Texaco Development Corporation. In 1986 Bert chose to retire with his wife, Bea, in Coffee Springs, Alabama and start his second career as a tree farmer and to develop his beautiful Treasure Forest. Bert is survived by his wife, Bea M. Fritz, four sons, Michael M. Fritz (wife Ulrike) of Lohne, Germany, Christian C. Fritz (wife Regina) of Natick, MA, Patrick P. Fritz (wife Laura) of Ripley, TN, and Bert N. Fritz (wife Ursula) of Spring, TX; and daughter Nicola M. Fritz of New Canaan, CT; 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Dr. Fritz be made to Catholic Relief Services at 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bertold R. Fritz, please visit our flower store.