Richard “Rick” Fritsch, 52

Richard Elvin “Rick” Fritsch, 52, of Thorngate Ct., Millersville, died Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at the Essa Flory Hospice Center after a courageous 3 year battle with esophageal cancer. 

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of Dolores A. (Deppeller) Fritsch of Elizabethtown and the late Elvin R. Fritsch. He was the loving husband of Jennifer L. “Jenny” (Rhodes) Fritsch. They celebrated ten wonderful years of marriage on June 29^th.

Mr. Fritsch worked for 23 years for Wachovia, First Union, and Corestates Banks at the N. Queen St. location as a Trust Officer and Assistant Vice President. He was employed at M & T Bank at their Harrisburg location as a Trust Officer and Assistant Vice President. 

Richard was a 1973 graduate of JP McCaskey High School.  He received a BS in Music Education from Elizabethtown College in 1977 and a BA in Sacred Music from Lebanon Valley College in 1981.  He also was a graduate of the Atlantic School of Trust, and Penn State Paralegal Program. He was a church organist for 35 years, serving at First United Methodist, Millersville, Grace Lutheran, Lancaster, Zion Lutheran, Penbrook, St. Paul Lutheran, Millersville, Lakeside Lutheran, Harrisburg, St. John Lutheran, Beatrice, Neb., St. Paul Lutheran, Lititz, St. Stephen’s Lutheran, Lancaster, and most recently at All Saints Anglican, Lancaster.

Richard was a member of All Saints Anglican Church. As a member of the American Guild of Organists, Lancaster Chapter, he served as a dean, sub dean, secretary, treasurer, auditor, and board member. He also held the Service Playing and Colleague certificates. He was an active concert performer, most recently at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster this past March. He was a member of the Charles M. Howell Lodge #496 F&AM.

Rick loved sharing his train layout with friends, riding his motorcycle, and most of all spending time with his family.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 2PM at St. John Lutheran Church, 223 W. Orange St., Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Lancaster Chapter AGO Concert Fund, c/o John Weit, Treasurer, 44 Weaver Ave., Ephrata, PA or to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604 or All Saints Anglican Church Building Fund, c/o Fr. Carl E. Schroeder, 626 Jane Ave., Mount Joy, PA.  Arrangements by the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, Lancaster.