Our father, Robert (Bob) Joseph Fetz passed away in the early morning hours Thursday, December 1, 2022, in Sacramento. His lungs and heart were compromised from pre-existing and he died from complications of pneumonia. Dad was born September 25, 1925 to Henry Joseph and Irene Madeleine Fetz in Chicago, IL, two months premature, which at the time, had low survivability. Clearly his ardent desire to engage in life was manifest at the very beginning, as he struggled through seven months of hospitalization.
Dad was successful in school, graduating as class valedictorian in high school. He subsequently entered the ROTC during World War II, receiving his training and education at various universities in the Midwest. Active duty complete, dad finished his medical school requirements at Queens college in Flushing, NY, and attended his first year of medical school at Loyola University in Chicago. He transferred to Long Island College of Medicine and graduated in 1951. The transfer followed what he would call the best decision of his life, when he married our mother Anita (d December 20, 2009) on September 3, 1949. The family moved (and grew) from New York to Detroit, to Los Angeles, where, after specializing in the practice of Urology, he began his practice. He finally settled in Roseville, CA in 1963. Dad was the first Urologist in Placer County, covering the needs of patients not only in Roseville, but also in Folsom, Auburn, Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee. The family settled in Granite Bay, where he has lived since late 1964. Dad retired from medicine in 1990, and in true form did not slow down much.
He pursued and obtained an art degree from Sacramento State University, focusing on water color and pottery. Many are the lucky recipients of his paintings and bowls and cups spun from clay. Dad also frequently enjoyed being outdoors with family and friends on the golf course.
Always willing to engage in conversation on a broad range of topics, including his favorites of philosophy and religion, his sphere of friendships continually expanded. He was always a devout Catholic. He valued his many friends greatly. Those having the opportunity to share time with him know he enjoyed learning, asked a lot of questions, had a great sense of humor, loved to tell jokes, share stories, and he love d to laugh. He was truly a gift from God to us all.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Haule, Palm City, FL; His eight children: Craig (Catherine), Oakdale, CA, Dana (Toni) Pinole, CA, Dale, Helena, MT, Eric (Luisita) Phillipines, Charles (Jennifer), Fair Oaks, CA, Irene (Richard), Naperville, IL, Brian (Colleen), Spokane, WA, Paul (Amy), Helena, MT. 14 Grandchildren: Aaron, Andrea, Diana, Adam, Christina, John, Thomas, Laurel, Jarrett, Laura, Michael (d 2016), Connor, Liam, and Natalie. Great grandchildren: Reace, Rylie, Tora Petra and one on the way.
We would also like to acknowledge our appreciation to his dear friends John and Georgia Winner.
A service for our father will be held January 5th, at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Marello Catholic Church in Granite Bay. A reception will follow the service at the church. All who knew dad are welcome.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LambertFuneral.com for the Fetz family.
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