Norbert Albert Fritz

Norbert Albert Fritz October 31, 2016 Pioneer broadcaster passes away at 95 Patriarch of three generations of broadcasters, Norbert Albert Fritz, of Fredericksburg, passed away at his home on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, at the age of 95. Norbert was born in the Tivydale community, Gillespie County, Texas, one of twelve children of Emil A. Fritz, Sr. and Minna Tatsch Fritz. He married Alene Imogen Wendel on May 26, 1946 in Zion Lutheran Church, in Kerrville, Texas. Norbert served in World War II as a radar engineer, giving him his start in radio broadcasting. Educated by the Army Air Corps at the University of Texas at Austin, Norbert would go on to earn seven Bronze Stars during the War in the Pacific, having left San Francisco with his last posting being Yokohama, Japan. Getting his start at KCTI 1450 in Gonzales, Texas, Norbert and his late wife, Alene, would go on to own or operate KNAF, KNAF-FM, KMBS-FM, KFAN-FM, KONO AM and FM, and KEEP-FM, and oversaw the building of KERV Kerrville in 1948. In the late-1960s, he would bring the first high-powered FM to the Hill Country. In addition to being a broadcaster, he was a pioneer in cable television, having been a co-founder of Fredericksburg Cable Corporation. He was one of the few in the state to operate a cascade microwave station to bring in distant television stations. From 1959, he was in the cattle business, and since 1971, the Charolais cattle business, with ranches in Texas and New Mexico. He was a Top 10 Breeder in the country. Horses were part of his life as well, as a Connemara breeder in the 1960s. Norbert also loved hunting and was a competitive shooter and was a member of the Gillespie County Schuetzen Bund Hall of Fame. Mr. Fritz is survived by one daughter, Sharon Fritz of Fredericksburg, and one son and spouse, Jayson and Jan Fritz of Fredericksburg; grandchildren, Stephen Jung, Victoria Price, Nicholas Jung, Ariana Carruth and Sean Fritz, and nine great-grandchildren; sister and spouse, Doris and Robert Rahm of Hye, Texas; sisters-in-law, Mae Priess of Fredericksburg and Carolyn Sue Smith of San Antonio. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alene; seven brothers: William, James, Edgar, Reuben, Emil Jr., Calvin and Clinton Fritz; three sisters, Leola, Mrs. Milton Kramer; Elsie, Mrs. George Kajimura, and Minnie, Mrs. John Camacho Sr. A Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Msgr. Enda McKenna officiating. Mary Ann Murchison was the pianist; Donna Jackson, the vocalist; Arianna Carruth and John Fritz, scripture readers; and St. Mary’s School students, altar servers. Eucharistic ministers were members of the Knights of Columbus. Graveside services and interment followed in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers included Gerald Fritz, Ronnie Kramer, Mike Kajimura, John Camacho, Jr., John Fritz, Dean Fritz, Roy Kramer and Bryan Rahm. Those who so desire may make memorial contributions in his memory to Hill Country Memorial Hospice. Arrangements were under the direction of Schaetter Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com. 48076.23pd.

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