By Dee Longfellow
Late Monday evening, word was received of the passing of Larry Fricke, a long-time pillar of the Elmhurst community, especially for his efforts at Elmhurst University. Larry deserves a well-documented story of his life complete with comments from other leaders of the Elmhurst community, but press deadlines did not allow it for this issue. The Elmhurst Independent plans to publish such a story in an upcoming issue. Today, we share his obituary:
Lawrence Paul “Larry” Fricke of Indianapolis, passed away on Feb. 2, 2023, one month before his 98th birthday. He was born on March 2, 1925, in Monroe, Ind., to the late Eddie and Clara Steiner Fricke. A graduate of Broad Ripple High School and Purdue University in Airport Management, Larry was an active member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He served as a Lieutenant in the Naval Air Corp.
With his gregarious personality Larry had a successful 35-year sales management career with Revere Copper and Brass, moving from Indianapolis to Denver, Milwaukee, Rome (NY), and Chicago. After “retiring,” Larry found his true passion volunteering for 31 years as a fundraiser at Elmhurst University, raising millions in donations before retiring in 2014. Born into a Mennonite family, he became an active member of Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and UCC churches throughout his life. He was a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, golfer and cyclist and avid reader. Larry loved spending time with his ever-expanding family. He ended his long life back home again in Indiana where he enjoyed living close to family and being part of the vibrant and faith-filled community at Hoosier Village.
Larry was preceded in death by his first wife, Rhea Jean (McGoldrick) Fricke; second wife, Jackie (Lang) Fricke; three brothers Wilber, Harold and Ben; four sisters, Esther Habegger, Neva Bell, Mable Hohlt and Doris Hinman. Survivors include his sister Patricia Hull, daughters, Paula Fricke (Carol Reid), Ann Ost (Bart), Jean Hursh (Dan), and Holly Lang Coffin (Phil); seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Heart Change online at heartchangeindy.org or Tabernacle Presbyterian Church Boy Scouts of America Troop 72 online at tabpres.org. Arrangements provided by Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home in Plainfield, Ind. A celebration of Larry’s life will appear in a future issue of the Elmhurst Independent.
