John Frederick “Fritz” Kraetzer died suddenly at his home of a heart attack on February 14, 2012.
Fritz was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 19, 1937 to Eugene Gilbert and Martha Marshall Kraetzer, who both predeceased him. He attended Phillips Academy Andover and graduated from Harvard College, class of 1958.
Fritz followed his college graduation with service in the US Navy, which took him to California and after the Navy he enrolled and graduated from Stanford University Law School, class of 1962. He ultimately settled in Berkeley, California where he raised his family.
He practiced law in Oakland, California for nearly thirty years, and while an attorney, he was a member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California. Following his term as a governor, he was appointed to the bench in Alameda County in August, 1992, serving as a superior court judge until his retirement in 2005.
Fritz retired to Orcas Island, Washington where he was very active in the volunteer community, serving as an Orcas Public Library volunteer, on the Senior Services Advisory Council, as a SHIBA volunteer, as an Orcas Center Board member, a museum volunteer, and a member of the vestry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Besides his family, Fritz loved travel, puzzles, and his vegetable garden. All those who knew him, would describe him as a gentleman.
Fritz is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary “Midge” Kraetzer; his children Andrew Kraetzer, Brad Kraetzer and Andrea Hackett, and Polly and Steve Hodson; his grandchildren, Sutter Kraetzer, Caroline Kraetzer, and Madeleine Hodson; his sister Jeannie Kraetzer Didrichsen; and predeceased by his sister Sarah Ann Dallas.
Services at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Eastsound, Saturday, February 25th, 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the charity of your choice.
Submitted by the Kraetzer family.
Fritz was a wise and wonderful man and also served on the board of the Longhouse for many years. He will be missed.
He did so many small kindnesses for people! His (and Midge’s) help with the Food Bank lunches was much appreciated. We were lucky to have him for as long as we did.