Obituary: Fenrich, Ritch D.
Age 68
FENRICH, Ritch D.
Born Ritchie Dale Fenrich on November 13, 1943, to George and Verna Stevens Fenrich in Imperial County, CA where his father was stationed with the army, Ritch passed away March 27, 2012 in Spokane at age 68.
He attended Boise High School, Boise Junior College and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1967 with a degree in architecture.
Married in 1967 to Loretta Homsey, they moved to Spokane where Ritch began his career.
His first job was with Ken Brooks, then in 1971 he was hired and mentored by Tom Adkison and remained with the firm of ALSC Architects until retirement 30 years later.
He was proud to be part of many projects through the office, from Expo 74, the redesign of Wall Street, the Spokane Arena, work in China, and many school projects from Whitman, Whitworth, Gonzaga, and more.
His civic involvement began with helping save the Looff carousel, and included designing two flag themed benches in Riverfront Park, and designing and building a Christmas tree suspended over the intersection of Main and Wall.
He was a long time member of the Spokane Relations Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, volunteered with the Spokane Civic Theatre, Spokane Art School, and the NW Museum of Arts & Culture.
An avid art collector, Ritch also produced his own art in lamps, birdhouses, and gongs.
Ritch is survived by his wife Loretta in Spokane, daughter Jill in Portland, OR, sister Georgia (Boyd) Anderson in Idaho Falls, ID, and brothers Doug Fenrich and Brian Fenrich.
Released from the progressive supra-nuclear palsy that trapped him in his last years, Ritch is now free to go out dancing, biking, hiking, and kayaking again.
Always positive, he loved each day and his zest for life will be greatly missed.
A celebration of Ritch’s life will be announced at a later date.