I am sad to say that I never had the chance to meet Ron, but feel like I knew him based on John Plunkett bringing him up often at Just Jobs, Inc.  Ron and John were both founders of the non-profit I worked for, for many years.  John had such deep respect and affection for Ron, and the work they did together.  What an amazing company, with a vision and mission that was vibrant through difficult economic times.   Disenfranchised job seekers got a real break at Just Jobs, Inc.  I'm grateful to Ron for being a part of founding a company I was so very proud to work for for almost 30 years.  His work really made a big difference in so many struggling workers' lives.   What a great contribution he made to so many who needed help.  I am so thankful for Ron!

I just loved Ron. He was one of the sweetest souls I ever met. I am sorry I didn't get to spend time with his earlier this year due to the virus. 

Ron was one of my oldest friends.  We met in 1956 in 9th grade when I noticed that the quiet new kid was awfully smart as well as humble and kind.   After spending high school and a couple years of college together, we embarked on our own paths but always circled around to keep in touch.  Each conversation (and later, each email) started as if we had just talked yesterday, no matter how long it had been.  
Ron's humility and loving kindness was always an order of magnitude greater than was expected, even when I expected it from Ron.  Once as we walked in downtown Chicago,  he stopped by a homeless man, so I reached for my wallet too.  But Ron was already engaged  in conversation and learned about the man's progress since Ron had last seen him.  They were old friends too.
In 2006 we had an opportunity to spend two wonderful weeks together traveling in India.  I did wonder at first if Ron could get past the many people on the streets with their hands out.  There was desperate need, and everyone was his old friend, but we learned to respectfully be on our way - eventually.  And, he was always up for an adventure in the day and for philosophical discussions in the evening - a great travel companion.
Ron's marathoning was a surprise.  I never thought of him as interested in athletics, and then I caught on that he was interested in making any effort to help those in need, like the AIDS community.  Ron was always there to help or to be your friend.  He lived his life like that smart, humble and kind kid in 9th grade and made the world a better place.  We're grateful for knowing him.



I met Ron through Team 2 End AIDS. His story inspired me so much that I wanted to get to know him better. What followed were some amazing conversations, amazing dinners, amazing times. When he told me that he ran several marathons, and admitted that he was tired, I promised to keep his torch lit. We both got emotional and he said that he was so inspired that a young man like me would want to get to know his story. We chatted after that, and he became my first “senior” buddy. I’m going to miss his stories, our conversations, and his annual recitation of “Jabberwocky” at the T2 Cabaret. Rest In Peace, Ron.

I knew Ron for many years. He was such a gentle, kind soul! He will be missed. My deepest condolences to the entire family.

Ron and I have been friends for almost twenty years. Recently we have taken to the phone to talk, given COVID-19. During COVID I told him I've been playing classical music on WFMT-FM almost constantly.  He told me that he loved Beethoven and I will remember him the next time I hear a Beethoven symphony!

Dear Uncle Ron,  
I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that you are gone.  You have been such a presence.  These last few days, I've been reading memories from your friends and family--and I've learned  more about who you were and what you mean and meant to so many.  You were/are well loved-- and rightly so.  You loved  many people- not just your family and friends... You loved people you had never met-- and showed your love by working to make things better-- for people with AIDS, and Cancer, and Epilepsy;  for immigrants; for Native Americans;  for DACA; for workers; for the poor; for improving access to health care--and for social justice issues that people still fight for.   And you were always willing to help.  When I was diagnosed with my cancer, you were there with support,  Through every surgery and every round of treatment, you let me know how much you cared.  You sent me so many mass cards!  Clearly the prayers have worked, because I am still here!  In the middle of all of this, you helped me with my Wadi rescue.  You befriended the shy and skittish Fawn, and always asked about her.  When I lost my  good insurance, you volunteered to fundraise in order to help pay my bills.   I knew that was what you were doing for me--- and now I see that at the same time, you were also supporting so many other people.  More than anyone I know, you lived your faith.  Thank you, Ron-- I am so very blessed to have you as my uncle.  You are an inspiration, you are loved, and you are still a presence.  

Uncle Ron was always so sweet every time we saw him! I remember that he told some funny jokes. He was interested in our lives and whatever activities we were participating in at the time. Uncle Ron would offer prayers for me and others which I always thought was very thoughtful. He always surprised me with the Spanish words that he knew! Praying for strength and peace for the family, God bless.


Ron was a great friend and devout Catholic.  I was fortunate to take two big trips with him, including a fine cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale via the Panama Canal with stops in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and other places.  Ron was a wonderful travel companion.  

Ron loved to see the world God created.  He helped make that world a better place. While I'll miss Ron, the memories of his friendship will live on. My best wishes and condolences  to his family and other friends!

I fondly remember my cousin's laugh, his caring heart, gentle spirit, and the faith-filled way that Ron lived his life.  Offering my deepest condolences to Ron's family and friends.  May your fondest memories of Ron somehow ease the pain that you are feeling, and bring you comfort and peace.

I had such difficulty posting  pictures that when my niece finally did it for me, the captions didn’t go through. I wanted people to know so much more about my brother. He had wanted to be a priest from childhood, but had to leave the seminary when he developed epilepsy at age 19. After graduating from the U of Portland, he served 2 years as a Vista Volunteer on the Navajo Reservation in Shiprock, NM. He cared deeply about the plight of Native Americans  and other immigrants being exploited as day laborers. Hence, Just Jobs. (I hope you read John Plunkett’s  tribute for the amazing impact Ron had on that problem.) He then got a Master’s in Urban Studies and headed up major affordable housing developments for the city of Chicago. His focus was always the under-served and marginalized.  The tributes from the those who have shared on this page tell you how deeply he touched people  I not only loved my brother; I admired him for the values he lived. I miss you terribly, bro!

During Ron's long home recovery from surgery earlier this year, I served as his Eucharistic minister, taking the sacrament to him there several times. The comfort he got from receiving the host gladdened me, but his patience in the face of his adversity awed me. 

Witnessing that made my visits as much of a spiritual gift for me, as for him. Faith as pure as his evidently helped soften the jagged edges of his life, and dissolve much of its grit. The hope he showed was beautiful and life-affirming, and I feel grateful and privileged to have seen it.

Thanks Ron, and eternal peace be with you.

Ron,  I’ll miss your kindness, gentleness, and playfulness.  I loved your youthful exuberance and curiosity. I’ll miss you.  

Ron Fritz was my friend for the last 32 years of his life.  He touched my heart with his kindness and big heart. I did not run i to him near enough, but when I did I got the feeling it meant as much to Ron as it did me.

Rest in peace, my friend. I received many gifts from you. Your kindness and sensitivity, your deep connection to Native American spirituality. And maybe most of all your playfulness.

Ron has been a dear, life long friend. Our paths traveled many directions and we always kept in touch and had a connection. We valued and loved each other's strengths, quirks and differences.  We helped each other when we could, however we could.  I shall miss him every day of my life. 

The only photo I could access quickly was from nine years ago.  Kind of embarrassing  to admit that. I chose the best picture of Ron - not of me.  He looks really great in it. 

I have so enjoyed looking at all the photos in the online album here.  Thank you all who shared.

His was truly a wonderful life. 

Just Jobs, Inc!  A reunion for John Plunkett (l),Ron Fritz, and Roger Klouda (r) at the wake for a dear Just Jobs colleague, Paul Littlepage.  8/9/2019 

Ron and I first met, gosh, over 30 years ago (when we were just kids) at support groups on the north side of the city.   We had drastically different views on how the support meetings should be run (Ron always wanted EVERYONE to have a chance to share; I was always looking at the clock "well time's up, group conscience says this meeting ends at _____pm"   We were not love at first sight.

Ron's check ins got under my skin.   Little did I know, mine had the same effect on him...  One day I finally said "Ron it irritates the hell out of me when you speak at the meetings".   His response:  "well Tom, same thing here.  I really don't care for your rigidity, and especially your clock watching"..     Of all the nerve...

We got to know each other better over dinners after meetings.  I got to know more about his children, and Josefina.   I'm a musician..when Ron and Josefina completed their vows in church he asked me to play the organ.   I was delighted to do so.

We continued to get to know each other over coffee, dinner,  retreats phone calls etc.

Ron was devastated when Josefina passed away.   I wrote her date of death in my morning meditation book and would call him every year and say  "today is Josefina's _______ th anniversary--I'm thinking about you, praying for both you and Josefina.

Ron never hid his emotions.  My anniversary calls were always met with tears and an abundance of thank you's.

Ron was always caring and empathetic.  He knew my deepest, darkest secrets.    You know, the ones that only the priest is supposed to know.   I trusted Ron.   Ron was hard on himself, never others.   "I understand, Tom, I understand" was a constant phrase.   Gossip was not his style.   It was always about helping someone else.

Ron saved my sister's life during the "heat wave" Chicago Marathon.  He saved my life many times when I was literally out of my mind when I was in the throes of mercury poisoning.

I will miss you deeply Ron.  I've never had a friend like you before.

So happy to read these comments about Ron and to learn even more about his generosity and kindness, his work with Just Jobs, etc.  I was Ron's priest confidante and confessor through our association at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Chicago.   Those of you who love Ron and are not Catholic likely will know that Catholics have a sacrament called the 'sacrament of penance' or confession.  Ron and I just had this sacrament a week ago and so I imagine him moving towards God and into eternal life, now, with great freedom and joy, for knowing God and always reaching out for God's love in this life, and joy for knowing all of you, his family and friends and colleagues, whom he often spoke about with great love and gratitude.

Ron was a dear friend...
always generous, dedicated, and hard-working when he wanted to accomplish something for the common good. I wonder if I thanked him enough times.  

I am deeply struck by this loss of a dear friend, and It is with genuine sadness that I write this.  I grieve for our loss.  
 

Uncle Ron was the most noble,  down to earth, kind-hearted person, the good reflection of his parents and siblings. He would always go the extra mile to encourage and help others.  He was a kid at heart, to me, and he climbed the highest branch. Uncle, friend and family man, who was always there for anyone. He had a huge heart for life. He cared for everyone.

Memories of a Shared Childhood.
When I think of you, Ron, 
bits and pieces before my eyes
     the farm
     the train
     South Dakota
     picking berries
     Family times
Fragments of shared memories
When I cross over,
We'll take those threads
yours and mine,
and knit them into the perfect cloth.
The fabric of our lives.
The picture will be complete.
     I love you.
     I miss you.
     your sister,
                 Betty

Every time I saw Ron, he would tell me "Samantha, I have been praying for you!" It was the sweetest thing anyone could ever say. Completely unsolicited and unexpected, but boy did it brighten my heart to know that even in the times when I struggled to pray or connect with God, I had an advocate in Ron, praying on my behalf.

It was a highlight of many a gathering to witness Ron's passionate, lyrical performance of the Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll. He would always preclude the performance with telling us how he would read the poem to his son. He had also shared some of his own poetry with me, that shed light on his deep love for his wife. 

Ron's capacity for love, service, kindness and gentleness was a testament to humanity. The world (and my life) will be sadder without him, but so much better and brighter for having had him in it. 

Born in Bison, South Dakota, our family moved to Vancouver , WA during WWII so dad could work in the shipyards there. Ron was only a month old and traveled in a laundry basket. Photos of our childhoods are virtually nonexistent. This picture was taken before Betty was born when we were living in war-time pre-fab housing in probably 1945/46 before we moved to the 10 acre farm  10 miles west of Vancouver.  He was a sweet freckle-faced kid.  

The Underdogs Lost a Good Friend.

I first met Ron in 1969 when he worked as a volunteer for “Project Amos” in the Uptown neighborhood of  Chicago. He helped to investigate the 26 day labor hiring halls within a 2-block radius of Wilson and Broadway, and to expose their very exploitive and illegal practices. As a result of Ron’s investigative efforts, the news media, began drawing attention to the high level of exploitation taking place in the day labor industry, seven days a week. The state legislature took notice and brought some regulatory pressure for reform. The Chicago City Council did the same. 

Ron then left Project Amos and become an incorporator of Just Jobs, Inc.— the nation’s very first not-for-profit temporary staffing service. The Lerner Newspaper in Uptown then ran a story about the new startup and its plans to become an alternative to the exploitation taking place in the commercial day labor industry. In that article, one of the more exploitive day labor office owners was quoted as predicting that: "Just Jobs will soon go down the drain”. He also suggested that:  “Ron Fritz couldn’t get a dog out of the dog catcher if he knew the mayor of Chicago personally.”

Today, almost a half-century later, the organization is still around. It has entered into three non-profit mergers; spun-off two separate non-profit social enterprises; employ over 80,000 Chicagoans; paid almost a quarter-billion dollars in wages to its transitional employees; place over 18,000 people with other employers; and, has provided over 2 million reverse-commute bus rides. 

Ron was there on the ground floor during Just Job’s critically important startup years — when the learning curve was very steep, and finances extremely tight. And, I bet if Ron ever did want to get a dog out of the dog catcher, he would have pulled it off single-handedly, without dropping the mayor's name.

My wife Mary and I extend our sincere condolences to Anton and Pura, the extended family and many friends.

OBITUARY

Ronald L. Fritz

February 4, 1943 – July 13, 2020

Drake & Son Funeral Home

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