Roy E. Fritch 1917 - 2007

Roy was born 1917 in Seattle in room 308 of Swedish Hospital.  He attended Washington State University but WWII interrupted his education.  He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific aboard the USS St. George as an aviation metal smith.  Following the war he returned to Pullman to continue his education.  He met Mary there and six weeks later they were married in MoscowIdaho in 1947.

Following their marriage, they moved to Snohomish where he and Mary farmed and did land clearing.  He started Fritch Mill in 1950.  For many years he and Mary had an egg route in Seattle, but the mill quickly grew to be the full-time family business.  He retired from the mill in 1976 and the business was continued by his son Bruce until 1996 and is now owned by his youngest son Eric Fritch.

Roy was a member of Kiwanis for over 60 years his membership starting during his college career at the then Washington State College as a member of the Circle K fraternity.   He was a charter member of the Snohomish Kiwanis Club and a former Kiwanis Lieutenant Governor in 1965. 

Due to the war interruption he was not able to officially get his college diploma, but with assistance by many, he was granted his Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from WSU in 1976 the same year as his son Bruce received his Bachelor's degree and son Mark graduated with his Master's degrees.

Roy spent many summers at his beloved log cabin in Riske Creek, B.C. Canada.  Royenjoyed fishing and moose hunting trips with family and friends. No one could consistently beat him at cribbage, although generations of the family tried.

Roy Earling Fritch age 90, founder of Fritch Mill, life-long proud Kiwanian, husband, father, grandfather and Cougar passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 25, 2007. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary; his children Christine Brinton (Michael), Mark, Randy, and Eric (Sharon).  His six grandchildren: Kyle and Conor Brinton, Jesse, Rebecca, Alex and Ana Fritch.  His son, Bruce Fritch predeceased him in 2003.