Fritz died October 9, 2018. Originally from Wisconsin, he was one of the many who saw the movie "Red Skies of Montana" and later became a smokejumper. Fritz attended the University of Montana where he majored in business before joining the Air Force being stationed in Alaska. He continued to work for the Air National Guard and USFS throughout his career.

In 1973, while living in Spokane, he bought property outside of Spangle, WA where he lived through his retirement. Fritz jumped at Missoula 1953-57,'61 and'62.