Robert “Bob” Lawrence Fritz, 80, of Carthage, IL, passed away on Wednesday, March
18, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. Bob was born on February 26, 1946, to
Bob and Louise Fritz and was raised with one brother, Dave Fritz. He married Lila
Brooks Fritz on July 23 rd , 1994, and blended their families. Bob was preceded in death
by his parents, his son Mike Fritz and stepson, Robby White and his in-laws, John and
Bernadette Brooks. He is survived by his wife, stepdaughter, Erin (Steve) Fink, and his
grandchildren, Evan, Ellie and Benson Fink and his brother, Dave (Joanne) Fritz. As
part of a large extended family, Bob, will be missed by many sisters-in-laws, brother-in-
laws, nieces, nephews, and their children.
Bob grew up in Harrisburg, PA, near the Susquehanna River. From January 1967 to
December 1968, Bob served as an Army Medic. After being honorably discharged from
the Army, Bob completed his bachelor’s degree from Penn State, and landed what
would become his dream job as a social worker for the State of Pennsylvania. Bob
worked with disabled teens and adults with the transition from school to work or helping
someone change vocations due to a handicap or accident. Bob loved his job as a case
manager for clients for 25 years and then took an early retirement to start a new chapter
of life in rural Illinois, at Brooks’ Ranch, the home of his beloved wife, Lila.
Brooks Ranch was a great place for Bob to continue his love of running, hiking, biking
and all things nature. Bob hiked over 900 miles of trails in America, much of it on the
famed Appalachian Trial in quiet solitude. Bob and Lila built a home together on the
banks of Lake Linda where they enjoyed over thirty years of good country living. Bob
enjoyed watching his children and many nieces and nephews grow up and participate in
local sports. As an avid sports fan, Bob, was someone you could count on to cheer you
on in both sports and life, especially if you wore a Pittsburg Pirate uniform. At 63, Bob
took on the task of being the “Manny” to his then 3-week-old grandson, Evan, so that
Erin could return to work. Few men would be brave enough for this task, but Bob was a
natural with babies and exceled as the perfect grandpa for all the “Finklets”.
In a world of takers, he was a giver. In a world of talkers, he was a listener. In a world of
haters, he was a lover. The world was a better place with Bob in it, but heaven is the
perfect place for his kind of angel.
A memorial service will be held at 4pm on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the First
Presbyterian Church in Carthage, where Bob served many years as both a deacon and
an elder. Memorials may be made out to Bobbofest. Due to the service being Easter
weekend, friends and family are welcome to send a card to Lila at 2425 E. County Road
1800 N, Carthage, IL or give her a big hug at Bobbofest if you can’t attend the church
service. Print Funeral Home is handling arrangements.