Arthur Fritsche

Fritsche, Arthur O. MADISON- Arthur O. Fritsche, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, son of parents Oscar and Mae Fritsche. He was born on July 25, 1931, in Madison, during the great depression. His mother took in washing and his father with his advanced degrees from the U.W. Madison, took any menial job he could find to put food on the table. They walked the train tracks, which they lived next to, picking up large chunks of coal that had dropped off of the coal cars traveling through the area to help heat their home. Art’s crib was made from wood that his father had gathered from junk crates he found at the dump, likewise his toys, which his father clearly managed to build with very minimal tools. To this day, Art still had and cherished his crib and toys having a special place for them in their recreation room. Art enjoyed working with his dad and learning his skills. Always by his side, his dad called him his “little shadow” because he was always right next to him. At the age of 12 years old (1943), Art started his first full time job at .25 cents per hour working evenings after going to Emerson Grade School during the day, and Saturdays and summer vacations. He would take the Johnson Street bus all the way out to Shorewood Hills to work for an attorney couple with two small children doing all of their yard work, household chores and child care. At the age of 16, Art was brought into the adult world by ushering at the Majestic Theatre. He made .45 cents per hour and became the Assistant Manager the following year while attending East High School. Having his classes all in the morning, taking work credits and working 10 to 12 hours per day, six days a week kept him busy. Graduating in 1950, Art continued his supervisory career which included foreman at Ray-O-Vac, Plant Manager at Sealtest Ice Cream, and Warehouse Superintendent at Central Storage until finally the job he loved the best of all, Sterling Hall in the Physics Dept. at U.W. Madison where he worked for 30 plus years. Being hired by Mr. Paul Schultz (Instrument Shop Supervisor) was the luckiest day of his life. Mr. Schultz promise of making Art an instrument maker while going to school nights turned out to be only half of his future. Being guided by Mr. Schultz great wisdom, Art not only became an instrument maker but also assistant and finally supervisor of the Physics Dept. Student Shop. This position he held until his retirement in 1995 and he loved every minute of it. Art worked with students teaching them how to use the machine shop tools and helped them develop their projects. He treated his students as if they were part of his family and continued to keep in touch with many of them. Over the course of his life Art held many part time jobs while working full time at his regular job. These included Madison Newspapers, Siker Furniture Store, Paul’s D-X Station, Midwest Services, Pinkerton Security, Per Mar Security, Park Bank, ushering at Dane County Coliseum and Memorial Union Theatre and was a volunteer spotter for the National Weather Service (NOAA). He had many hobbies including photography, stamp and coin collecting, model railroading and antiques. Art, who was a confirmed bachelor, finally found his true love thanks to a very good friend of some 50 years, Dick Jensen and his wife Shirley. They introduced him to his partner for life, Esther Dobson. He loved her dearly and after a short engagement they were married on May 14, 1955. Together they produced and raised three loving sons, Timothy John in 1958, Jeffrey Paul in 1959, and Peter David in 1964. They were a very close, loving family who always pulled together as a team of horses would. When you saw one, you would see all five of them. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with Pastor J.C. Peterson, Pastor David Swenson and Pastor’s Assistant Lynn Kroger were a very strong influence on their lives. The family was involved as council member, bookkeeper, custodial and ushering. Together, the family enjoyed many camping and canoe trips, Cub Scouts, parades, grandparents and all the holidays. Art was Santa’s helper for over fifty years, which he looked forward to each and every Christmas season. He was Cub master of Cub Pack No. 328 and later Webelo leader of Pack No. 102. Art was known throughout the area cub packs for his portrayal of Indian Chief Akela, putting on his ceremony many times at various functions using the cub scouts from his pack. Art dedicated his life to his parents, wife and three precious sons. You’ll never find a father who loved, taught, gave and worshiped his sons more than he did. He was always so proud of them, bragging how well they did in school and after graduation. After Art and his wife’s retirement, they enjoyed traveling together around the U.S.A., touring the many great theatre palaces and listening to the music from the many majestic theatre pipe organs. They were members of the American Theatre Organ Society, Chicago Area Theatre Organ Enthusiasts, Dairyland Theatre Organ Society, Al Ringling Theatre, Wisconsin Historical Society, Badger Talking Machine and the Michigan Antique Phonograph Society. They also enjoyed touring many of the beautiful old Victorian mansions along the way. Art is survived by their three wonderful sons whom he loved dearly to the end, Tim, Jeff and Peter. He was preceded in death by his parents; and loving companion, Bobs the cat. At Art’s request there will be no visitation, funeral service or memorial. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420