Otto & Melanie Fritz

Otto and Melanie Fritz approached the end hand-in-hand, both battling Parkinson’s Disease. Otto passed away on August 19, 2022. Melanie passed on August 26, 2022. They met at a dance at St. Mary’s Catholic Student Center while she was in high school, and he was attending Texas A&M. They wed on June 13, 1965, and had 2 children, Chellisa and Eric. They settled in Bryan and were members of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Bryan. In the 1980’s, they moved to Dime Box, Texas but returned to Bryan after their children graduated high school. Melanie and Otto celebrated 57 years of marriage prior to their death. Otto and Melanie’s union is survived by their daughter, Chellisa “Chelli” Mata; son, Eric Fritz; son-in-law, Anthony Mata; daughter-in-law, Amy Fritz; as well as their grandchildren: Madison Fritz, Cole Fritz, Merrie Mata, Jasmine Samis, and Raven Mata. Their twin grandsons Max and Cooper Fritz preceded them in passing.

Otto was born on August 15, 1942, in Beijing, China to Vera (Kara) and Walter Dello. He was the grandson of the Five Star Brewery brew-master. His father, Walter, was thought to be lost at sea during repatriation to Germany. Otto fled to Prague with his grandparents during the Japanese invasion of China. His mother Vera moved to the U.S. after remarrying Martin Frank Fritz, an officer of the U.S. Marines. Through Martin’s efforts, Otto was adopted and came to the US at age 5. He officially became Otto Hans Fritz on May 8, 1951. Otto grew up in Robstown, TX. He is a 1961 graduate of Robstown High School. He attended Texas A&M before joining the Marine Corps as a Marine Cadet and attending flight school. Otto served in the Vietnam War in 1966, flying combat missions as a helicopter pilot. Following a serious injury while working as an offshore helicopter pilot, he returned to Texas A&M and graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting. After many years as an accountant, he returned to his passion of flying helicopters in the Gulf. Otto loved flying and took pride in being a good pilot and a hard worker. With a calm demeanor and ever-present smile, he always had a question to start a conversation. A good man with a kind heart, he was always trying to help. In addition to their mutual family, Otto is survived by his siblings Renee Dello, Marty (Karen) Fritz, Ronnie (Christy) Fritz. His parents and his sister, Joannie Hardin, preceded him in passing.

Melanie (Krueger) was born on January 25, 1945, in Caldwell, Texas. She was the fifth child of eight born to Nora (Flippin) and William Wayne Krueger. She attended Caldwell and Bryan ISD’s. She was a 1963 graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School. She moved to Houston with her sister, Marilyn, after graduating working for the phone company and as a restaurant hostess. She later reunited with Otto. While Otto was in Vietnam, Melanie lived with Otto’s family resulting in a special family bond. After Otto’s helicopter accident, she took on the role of providing financially for her family. She started out as at a bank clerk but transitioned to postal clerk, her career of 30-years. She was a strong female role model and loving mother to her children. She was not afraid to do things her own way. Melanie had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh that would capture the entire room. She enjoyed gardening, mowing, gambling on slots, and traveling to multiple foreign countries. In addition to their mutual family, Melanie is survived by her siblings Marilyn Krueger, Jerry (Gretchen) Krueger, Rolf (Clair) Krueger, Kent Krueger, her sister-in-law Kristen Krueger, and her son Duke Jones. Her parents and her siblings Rhonda Krueger, Bill (William Wayne Jr) Krueger, and Charles Krueger preceded her in passing.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 11 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 507 E 26th St, Bryan, TX 77803. The burial will follow at the Veterans section, Bryan City Cemetery, 1111 S Texas Ave, Bryan, TX 77803.