Frederic “Fritz” Marcus Bock. WD9FMB (SK)
1951-2019
Fritz was a 1969 graduate of Leroy High School. He graduated from (then) Central Missouri State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and in 1977 with a Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene. After being married, Fritz and Susan moved to the Peoria area in 1977 where Fritz worked at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) office in Peoria. He joined Caterpillar Tractor Company in 1981 as an industrial hygienist and later moved into environmental health and safety management positions at Caterpillar, Inc. He retired in 2013 after 32 years.
Fritz was passionate about his family, his church, amateur (ham) radio, and most recently supporting STEM efforts in the local schools. He was a long-time member of the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club, serving as its president for several years. From 2017 – 2019 he served as the Section Emergency Coordinator for the American Radio Relay League Illinois Section and acted as primary AUXCOMM Liaison to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Fritz and the Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club began a program with the Washington Gifted Middle School to teach the science behind high-altitude balloons. He helped students launch a balloon with a payload of student scientific tests. The balloon was then tracked using APRS. Additional balloon launches have been conducted at other Peoria area schools.
73, Fritz. Fair Winds and Clear Skies, you will be missed.