Frederick D. Lotze

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 5 at 11:00am followed by the service at 12:00 noon in Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon, MA. The family requests that In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Fred’s name can be made to the charity of your choice or to: Pat Brody Shelter for Cats, PO Box 142, Lunenburg, MA 01462 or The Fisher House, c/o Voluntary Services, VA Boston Healthcare Systems, West Roxbury Campus, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132.



 

Frederick “Fred” Daniel Lotze of Fitchburg passed away on Sunday, August 26 at the VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury Campus, after a long battle with Congestive Heart Failure. Fred was born in Long Beach, CA to Frederick and Helen (Berkon) Lotze. He leaves his precious and loving wife of 38 years, Mary (Sheridan), and a devoted daughter Lisa Gravelle and her husband Al of Lunenburg. He leaves his two treasured grandchildren, Mark Deming and wife Kristen of Waltham, and Keri Deming of Brighton. Fred also leaves his sister Dolores Boucher of Chula Vista, CA; his brother Gary Lotze and wife Teri of Yuma, AZ; and a niece and several nephews. His love and pride in his family was boundless. Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army and among several duty assignments was sent to South Korea. Because of his height, build, and good looks, he was selected to serve in the 8th Army Honor Guard in Seoul, South Korea. During his tour in Korea, Fred contracted Rheumatic Fever and was medically discharged. Fred was employed at Sanders Associates (now BAE Systems) in Nashua, NH but medically retired in 1992 after his second heart surgery. However, Fred worked diligently to rehabilitate his heart and body. He set up a small home gym where he could work out and lift weights. He especially enjoyed taking his daily 4-mile walks around his neighborhood and down through Coolidge Park. Through the years of walking he not only grew in strength and stamina, but he also cultivated friendships with those he met along the way. As his long walks grew more limited due to his declining health, Fred would walk around Fitchburg State University’s athletic field. He loved engaging in banter with the student athletes and the ROTC cadets working out at the field. Fred’s doctors attributed his longevity to his healthy lifestyle and physical strength as he faced his heart failure. Fred was quiet and more of a self-described curiosity hound. He spent hours in pursuit of knowledge, mainly on the subjects of history, science, and music. He even used his professional skills of accounting, electronics, and technology to create projects and challenges to keep his intellect sharp. He loved playing acoustic guitar and was a pretty righteous fingerpicker of old-time delta blues. For family and close friends, Fred was also known for his quick wit and ability to have fun. He frequently would begin a joke with, “just the other day”… Fred is sincerely missed by his loving family.