John Robert Fritsch passed away on April 19th, 2009 at the age of 72. He died peacefully at home in Nokesville, VA, in the presence of his loving family and friends. Although one of John’s last phases of life involved a seven-year battle with a neuroendocrine cancer, it certainly didn’t define his life. John was a family man, marine, volunteer, father, and husband who was always willing to give of himself and rarely asked for recognition. 
John was born in Carnegie, PA to Charles and Sophia Fritsch. He was an only child and grew up playing soccer and football in Scott Township and also worked in the family butcher shop. John was married to Elizabeth “Bette” in 1958 in western Pennsylvania. They had two children, Jon Eric and Timothy. Through sickness and health, better and worse, they educated their children and raised them to be honorable men. Of all the things they did for them, Jon and Tim are most grateful and appreciative of that.
After one grueling summer repairing railroad track after he graduated from high school, John decided that a college education was in his best interests. He went to University of Maryland on a full football scholarship where he still holds the record for the “longest punt” in the ACC (88 yards). Along the way he managed to graduate with a Bachelors Degree. Throughout his life he achieved a Masters Degree from University of Virginia in Education and was ABD (all but dissertation) on his PhD from George Washington University.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps as an officer in 1958. John served 2 tours in Vietnam (1966-1970), received the Bronze Star, and served in the Cuban Missile Crisis. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years of service to our country. He was a Marine Corps athlete and scout. John had a long and productive work and family life after the Marine Corps, but remained a leatherneck until the end. His final resting place is the Quantico National Cemetery, which is located across the road from the base where he worked and played for the better part of his career.
Equally important was John’s life after his military service where he lived with his family in Nokesville, VA for nearly three decades. His best friend -Walt Brooks, his wife -Sue, and their family, lived next to the Fritsch’s home.
John and the family spent many years doing equine sports and enjoyed foxhunting and horsemanship. He was a HAM radio operator (N4YOB) and enjoyed dabbling in technical projects and computers. He fly fished with his sons, did photography, traveled extensively with his wife, maintained his connections to his marine comrades, enjoyed sports, backpacked, started many hobbies and crafts, and was always helping his sons with various projects. During the years he had cancer, John took up framing and started a little framing shop in the basement. John was a dedicated and enthusiastic blood and platelet (apheresis) donor for most of his life.
John was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma in 2001, which his doctors believed he had been living with for 5 years prior to that. He received 29 cancer treatments at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Liver Cancer Center over 7 years. This is regarded as one of the longest, if not the longest, string of treatments for this type of cancer. In many respects, John’s treatment was also his gift to medicine as the knowledge acquired during his case was important for the cases that followed him. In exchange for what were often unbearable side effects, “Pap Pap” received the gift of 7 additional years to share with his grandchildren Jillian (age 10) and Grayson (age 7). Last year he was there for the birth of his granddaughter, Iris, for which he had a special bond during the last months of his life. Not to be overlooked are the contributions of his steadfast wife, supporter and advocate. In many respects both of them were battling cancer and they endured because of the love they shared. He and Bette regularly praised the high quality and compassionate care that they received at UPMC and the family is grateful for the Liver Cancer Center. They were firm believers in neuroendocrine cancer research and education, in which they passionately believed needed more support and medical research.
John spent many years volunteering at the polling stations in the Brentsville District. He was a lifetime member of the Catholic church and a 29 year parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was a member and active volunteer with the senior group there and was a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He felt honored to be a part of this brotherly organization.
We thank all of the family and friends who called with encouragement, support, assistance, and donations to his memorial fund. The Fritsch family knows that John would have been overwhelmed by your support.