- Pearl Harbor Survivor
- USS West Virginia
- Veteran of World War II
Biography
Robert (Bob) Frichen was born 29 January 1921 in Corinth, Osborne County, Kansas, United States to Robert Fritchen (1890-1930) and Bernice Irene Norton (1895-1985) and died 22 November 2011 Oceanside, San Diego County, California, United States of unspecified causes.
Obituary
Robert Frank Frichen, 90 OCEANSIDE -- Robert (Bob) Fritchen passed away November 22, 2011 from kidney failure. A Pearl Harbor survivor, he continued to be strong to the very end. He was born on January 29, 1921, in Corinth Township, Kan., to Robert and Berenice Fritchen. He graduated from Cawker City High School and then joined the Navy in 1938. After going to boot camp in San Diego, he was assigned to the USS West Virginia. Prior to arriving in Pearl Harbor, he traveled to the Caribbean, New York, and finally, Hawaii.
On December 7, 1941, Bob was on the ship when it was attacked. The ship sank, and he swam through burning oil to safety on shore. Shortly after, he met up with his brother, who was also in the navy, and joined him aboard the USS Louisville for two years. From there, he served on various ships, including the Poseidon, Pickaway, and Union. His favorite duty was on tugs in Seattle, Puget Sound, Japan, and Bremerton; many of these tours were during the Korean War.
Bob retired in 1959 as a Chief Boatswain's Mate and then worked various jobs before being hired by CALTRANS where he was employed until 1983. Bob was a member of the Elk's Lodge 1561 for 45 years, the VFW, American Legion, and the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association. We, as a family, were always so proud of him when he would wear his survivor hat to events and people would come up to him to thank him for his service.
For a man who had spent so many years on the seas, Bob loved the roads and especially the cars on those roads. Over his lifetime, he had at least 67 cars, everything from Corvettes to Jaguars to his favorite, Cadillacs. Even after he had to give up his driver's license because he was legally blind, he continued to drive on the streets of Oceana in a spiffy red 4-wheel microportable scooter.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jim and Bill; and one sister, Jean. He is survived by two sisters-in-law, Shirley and Marilyn; numerous nieces and nephews; and by his longtime friend and companion, Betty Collier. There will be a memorial service at 12noon on Sunday, November 27, at the Elk's Lodge 1561, at 444 Country Club Lane in Oceanside. His interment ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 13 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at 12noon. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you make donations to the National Kidney Foundation.[1]
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Memorial plaque to Pearl Harbor Veterans located at Oceanside Harbor.
- Location : Oceanside Harbor Fishing Pier, Oceanside, California
- Prepared by : Pearl Harbor Survivors Association - Chapter 31
REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR KEEP AMERICA ALERT DECEMBER 7, 1942
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Robert Frank Frichen (1921-2011) | 29 January 1921 Corinth, Osborne County, Kansas, United States | 22 November 2011 Oceanside, San Diego County, California, United States | |
| James Edward Fritchen (1923-2011) | |||
| Harold William Fritchen (1926-2007) | |||
| Norma Jean Fritchen (1928-2003) | |||
Residences
See Also
See Also
- Robert Frichen
- Fritchen in Osborne County, Kansas
- This profile prepared courtesy of Utah Scouting, helping to preserve our shared heritage.
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