Robert “Bob” William Julius Fricke Jr.,
Robert “Bob” William Julius Fricke Jr., beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, man of God and loyal friend was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on July 12, 2018 at the age of 86.
Bob was born on January 5, 1932 in the church parsonage in Chambers, Nebraska to Robert William Julius Fricke Sr. and Elizabeth “Marie” Louise Engelbart Fricke. His father, a Lutheran Pastor, baptized Bob when he was eight days old. Bob was the eldest of six children. Bob’s father was an Army Chaplain whose military assignments took the family to many exotic locations including Alaska and England.
As a young man, Bob worked in Alaska before he was called to serve his country in the military. Bob served in the army for two years, before being transferred to the Air Force where he was trained in technical writing. Bob credited his superiors in the Air Force for teaching him to be such a skilled writer of highly technical material. Those writing skills served him well throughout his entire career.
After fulfilling his initial commitment, Bob continued his military service by joining the Air Force reserves, where he retired with the rank of Major. That training was instrumental in launching and sustaining his 49 ½ year career with NASA. Bob was the primary author in writing all but the first NASA mission report, and all of the space shuttle mission reports. He received numerous professional accolades, including the NASA Service Award, Presidential Award Apollo XIII Operations Team, Skylab Award, Apollo Lunar Program Exceptional Service & Contributions, Shared Medal of Outstanding Leadership Gemini, Mission Evaluation Room Recognition, Apollo 204 Letter of Commendation Manned Spacecraft Center, and the Space Shuttle Columbia Region of Significant Contribution.
In 2000, Apollo by the Numbers: A Statistical Reference was published by Richard Orloff with this glowing and accurate dedication, “Bob started working in the space program during Project Mercury. He’s seen it all, and his insights have been invaluable in making this book come to life. In fact, it was Bob’s gift to me of a copy of the Apollo Program Summary Report more than a decade ago that helped give birth to the concept of Apollo by the Numbers. During those years, Bob has continued to be a source of information, inspiration, and above all, a dear friend. In recognition of the fact that he has worked on post-mission reports for more than 100 U.S. piloted spaceflights, NASA presented Bob with the coveted ‘Silver Snoopy’ award for his outstanding achievement.”
In his work at NASA, Bob had a wealth of institutional knowledge and technical skill. Beyond those skills, Bob had the dual gifts of friendship and trust. When Bob tried to retire from NASA, finding an adequate replacement appeared to be insurmountable. NASA could have found other technical writers. Everyone who had ever worked with Bob trusted him completely. So, after Bob retired, he was promptly hired back by contractors and continued to write through the final shuttle flights.
Bob loved travel, playing dominos and cards, was an avid golfer, and appreciated the craftsmanship of a fine sportscar. Bob was full of love and laughter. He was very proud of his family and friends and reveled in others’ accomplishments. He enjoyed sharing his amazing life stories. He was an example to the world of a kind, generous, loving man of God.
Active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Nassau Bay, and supported mission work throughout the world.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Marie, sisters Karin Jacobson and Shirley Thames; son Keith Fricke, stepson Ward Reagan, and grandchildren Konner Fricke and Bridgette Reagan.
He is survived by his loving wife Mary Reagan Fricke; sisters Elizabeth “Liz” Viets (Tom), Gretchen Gittner (Bill), and Mary K Bahnmaier (Carl); children Kim Holland, Karin O’Neill (Steve), Kevin Fricke, Kristin Clark (Jason), Randy Reagan, Debbie Brooks, Brad Reagan (Karen); daughters-in-law Debbie Vengular and Sharon Reagan; grandchildren Kimberley, Heather, Megan, Robert, Kyle, Karson, Billy, Kelsi, Maxwell, Sara, Jason, Alexandra, Kat, Hannah, Olivia and Camey; great grandchildren Kyanna, Ciara, Iyzon, Imani, Nia, Emma, Jocelyn, Chelyn, Junior, Isabell, Destiny, Joseph, Mark, Sean and great-great grandson JJ.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 16th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 East Main Street in League City.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 17th at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 18220 Upper Bay Rd, Houston, followed by internment at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for foreign mission work.
I worked with Bob for many years. So sorry to hear of his passing. Blessings to the family.
Anita Magill
I worked with Bob as well. He always had a big smile and a kind word for everyone. He was a warm and engaging man. My condolences to his family.
Bob along with Don Arabian was responsible for developing the engineering support to the Apollo missions in what was called the Mission Evaluation Room (MER). I had the pleasure to work with Bob over many years supporting the Apollo and Space Shuttle missions. He was active with our retired member group at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church called Roustabouts and I participated with Bob at those meetings and activities. Mary & family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
I knew Bob well meeting him during the Shuttle Program. Bob was a wonderful caring person and dedicated to “serving” this country. My wife and I offer our sincere condolences to all the family and our prayers.
I knew Bob from NASA and relied on his Mission Reports when analyzing design studies for Shuttle management. He will be missed.
My husband and I met Mr. Bob at a small group meeting. His gentle smile and kind demeanor were welcoming to us. He will be thoughtfully remembered.