Neal Fritchie

Neal Kenneth Fritchie was born May 31, 1944 at St. Aloisius Hospital in Harvey, North Dakota to parents Norris Freddie Fritchie and Nellie Ida Fritchie. Neal’s middle name was selected to match that of his mother’s brother-in-law (Kenneth Vontz). Neal was raised in a small-town rural community, and he grew up working on his father’s livestock & grain farm. He completed grade school in Hurdsfield, ND, was a confirmed member of the Hurdsfield Lutheran Church, and began high school at Hurdsfield High School. His remaining years of high school were at nearby Harvey High School in Harvey, ND where he graduated in 1962. Neal’s college time was at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND where he studied Electrical Engineering and graduated in 1966 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. At that time, the aerospace industry was just beginning to grow and Neal worked for Martin Marietta in Denver, CO, and then subsequently in Los Angeles, CA. He worked for a number of years at the U.S. Army Depot in Huntsville, AL in various government support roles. Neal held various clearances during his work with various government organizations – including NASA. Neal kept his family near-and-dear to him, as evidenced by his father Norris traveling annually in wintertime by bus from North Dakota to Alabama in order to be with Neal. They enjoyed sharing meals and spending time together. Neal Fritchie retired in late 2009 and his brother Norman and wife Carol encouraged Neal to move west to the Sun City, AZ area. Neal met and married Denise Marsh on April 23, 2011. Neal is survived by his older brother Norman and Norman’s wife Carol, his loving wife Denise, his supportive brother-in-law Bert and wife Dayna. Denise’s daughter Felisa Palfery and husband Simon & his 2 granddaughters – Molly & Zoe & various cousins. Neal was baptized as an adult in the Tennessee River and loved the Lord Jesus very much. He was a member of the Maranantha Baptist Church in Peoria, AZ. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish but have everlasting life.” In lieu of flowers the family asks to send gifts or donations to Marantha Baptist Church in memory of Neal Fritchie. 9120 N. 95th Ave Peoria, AZ 85345.