Fred Robert Peltz

Conceived in Trinidad while his father worked in the oil fields of the British West Indies, Fred Robert Peltz was born at home on January 21, 1929, in Lynwood, CA to parents Frederich F. Peltz and Veni Émbree-Peltz. In 1930, the Peltz family moved to Fontana, CA where Fred was educated in Fontana schools. Fred was a graduate of Chaffey High School and Chaffey College.

Fred’s love for baseball began at a young age, and, in 1947, he and six other players from a youth baseball league in San Bernardino were honored with an all-expense-paid trip to the World Series in New York. Fred had the opportunity to see Jackie Robinson and Yogi Berra play in their rookie years in this historic World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Between 1948 and 1951, Fred enjoyed a brief career as a pitcher on professional baseball teams in Riverside, CA, Yuma, AZ, and Boise, ID. He said, “I began my career in the gambling capital, Las Vegas, Nevada, and ended it in Salt Lake City, Utah with a shutout of the Pioneer League Champions.”

In the fall of 1951, Fred began his studies at San Jose State where he graduated in 1953 with a degree in journalism. It was during his time at San Jose State that Fred met Ruth (Sue) Romano, his future wife, during a brief window of time before they both left the San Jose area for winter break. Fred and Sue were married in November of 1952 in Lompoc, CA. Upon graduating, Fred began his career in advertisement at The Los Gatos Times/Saratoga Observer. On Fred’s first anniversary of marriage to Sue in November of 1953, he was drafted into the army. Between 1954 and 1955, he served in the XVI Corps headquarters in Sendai, Japan with the Public Information Office (PI0). Once settled in, Fred was joined by Sue and infant son, Jim, for one year. The three of them lived in Japanese housing and had a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with their Japanese hosts and other GI families from different states. During his time in Sendai, Fred was a pitcher on the XVI Corps Northern Honshu Championship baseball team of 1954. His teammate and friend, Dave Bristol, went on to manage four teams in the major leagues.

After completing his time in the service, Fred returned to Los Gatos for one year before joining The Republic Gazette in Phoenix, AZ where he worked for five and a half years. Missing the coast, the Peltz family returned to California where Fred worked for the Riverside Press-Enterprise for thirty years, ultimately retiring in 1993. Shortly after retiring, Fred and Sue moved to San Clemente, CA and fulfilled their shared dream of living by the beach. They integrated quickly into the community through Sue’s bridge group and their attendance of Our Lady of Fatima Church.

Travel always played an important role in Fred and Sue’s life together, and a highlight was the Peltz family cross-country road trip in 1976 for the U.S. bicentennial. In their V.W. van, the Peltzes visited family and friends across the United States and stayed in New York City, New England, Georgia, and places in between. After living in Japan, Fred and Sue continued to travel with friends and family to Italy, Germany, England, Austria, Egypt, and Hong Kong.

After retirement, Fred furthered his love for baseball by becoming a member of SABRE, the Society of American Baseball Research as well as the Association of Professional Baseball Players. In later years, Fred enjoyed taking pastel classes taught by accomplished artists in Orange County and finding some success with his own artworks.

He is survived by children Jim Peltz, Tom Peltz, Joan Gonzalez, Fritz Peltz, Christine Sandoval; grandchildren Tony Gonzalez, David Peltz, Alec Sandoval, Ian Peltz, Stephen Peltz, Tobias Sandoval; and great-grandchildren Alex Gonzalez, Ruth Marie Gonzalez, and Sloan Peltz

A funeral service for Fred will be held Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504, followed by a reception from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AchesonandGraham.com for the Peltz family.