Harley R. Fritz

To watch Rob's funeral mass click on the link below. https://boxcast.tv/view/h-rob-fritz-funeral-mass-ag4n3t9lxg9qyk4jcbmh Harley Robert 'Rob' Fritz died at age of 87 in Greenville, South Carolina on June 16, 2021. Quick-witted, abundantly generous, and blessed with an uncanny memory, his corny jokes and ability to recall family history are already missed beyond words. An Omaha native, Rob was preceded in death by Romola, his wife of 65 years, who was his high school sweetheart. They met at Hummel Park, where his father was caretaker and she was working as a summer camp counselor. He was third youngest with seven siblings, all of who preceded him in death. Rob graduated from North High School, served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, and earned an Associates Degree in civil engineering from Iowa Western Community College. Naturally creative, Rob spent many years as a fine artist. He loved sketching Disney and other cartoon characters, and was especially fond of Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck. He painted and illustrated, and eventually began working ...[more]

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wood. His unique wood sculptures sold across the US and in Europe. Throughout much of his art career he was a frequent participant at art shows, including many in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. Rob's love of antique cars led him to his second career, where he melded this love with his wood sculpting and engineering skills to restore early models such as Ford Model T's and Model A's. He was one of a very few craftsmen who could restore or rebuild the old cars' wooden wheels. He also restored horse drawn sleighs. Romola frequently joked about not being able to park her car in the garage. Whether at work or at play, Rob immersed himself in his passions. He was gifted musically, playing country and classical guitar as well as the mouth harp. He also sang and composed music periodically. You could often find him playing a mixture of tunes for whomever was around. One of his favorite things in his early adult years was to get together with his brothers and sisters to play and sing the music of their youth. He would also serenade Romola every morning with Beautiful Dreamer during the last years of her life. While sometimes rough on the outside, Rob was a man with a very simple and tender soul who wished for less violence and vitriol in the world. Feeling a strong affinity with St. Francis of Assisi, he gravitated toward nature, animals, and religious figures, which were frequently the subjects of his paintings and sculptures. Rob endured a number of personal hardships and challenges throughout his life and credited his faith as the beacon that guided him through his tough times. It was a faith he strived to pass on to his children and others around him. He was dedicated to his local parish, volunteering even during times when health issues made standing and walking nearly impossible for him. Rob wanted to have a positive impact on the world. He was most comfortable when he could be down to earth and bring joy to others through his art work, his music, and by living his faith. He often dressed in Mickey Mouse sweatshirts and ball caps to bring a smile to the faces of the people he encountered. Rob is survived by his son Colin and wife Maria, his daughter, Donna, grandsons, Connor and Justin, granddaughters, Katrina and Isabelle, great grandson, Nathan, and his four grand dogs. He was greatly loved. SERVICES 10:30 A.M., Thursday, June 24, 2021 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 8200 N. 30th St., Omaha, NE 68112. Interment to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery with military honors.