Name: Visitation for Frederic A. "Fritz" Buchholtz
Start: 2020-02-05T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-02-06T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Feerick Funeral Home - Shorewood

Frederic A. "Fritz" Buchholtz

Milwaukee - Frederic A. ("Fritz") Buchholtz, 73, of Milwaukee, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep January 28.

Fritz was a born storyteller, a creative businessman and entrepreneur with eclectic interests ranging from Egyptology and fencing to Napoleonic history, magic, and antiques. He loved to read, listen to music, spend time with family and friends, and acquire knowledge.

Born in Bloomer, Wisconsin in 1946, Fritz served in the US Navy. He organized the Iola Rock Festival, an outdoor music festival which included artists such as Buddy Rich and Ravi Shankar, in 1970.

Fritz moved to Milwaukee in the early 1970s, where he opened one of the city's first occult shops, Sanctum Regnum. There he met such celebrities as film actor Vincent Price. A military history buff, Fritz subsequently opened Napoleon's, a store specializing in military board games and figurines, in Shorewood.

Fritz cultivated lifelong friendships with gaming enthusiasts of all ages. He also started the Milwaukee Airgun Combat Club in the 1980. After the Shorewood store closed in the mid-2000s, Fritz opened Mr. Fritz's, a popular bar in Fredonia, Wisconsin. He was an instrumental figure in the community, serving as an active member of the village board and the Fredonia American Legion.

Fritz is survived by his sons, Franz Buchholtz (Catherine Jozwik), Jason Buchholtz (Suzanne Mutch-Buchholtz), Zachary Buchholtz, and his daughters, Autumn Rogne and Paula Ryan. He is the loving grandfather of Fenris, Olivia, and Eloise Rogne, Loki Buchholtz, and Devan Ryan. Fritz is further survived by his brother Bill (Carol) Buchholtz.

Fritz's visitation and memorial service will be at the Feerick Funeral Home, 2025 E. Capitol Drive, Shorewood, from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 5.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Frederic Buchholtz

Sponsored by Feerick Funeral Home - Shorewood.

21 Entries

Erik helm

April 25, 2022

Fritz was mentor to me. I started working for him at Napoleons on Webster st. back in the 1980s. I also helped him move the store to Shorewood in an old mail-truck, where I became his retail worker stocking product and helping customers as well as odd jobs. Fritz was a gem of a man... and a friend. A friend... He was a riot, and a joker, always with humor and tricks for me. I was part of his gaming community, and am richer for it! Roll the dice sir! Roll them still! You inspired us all!

Susanne Silverstein

February 10, 2020

A true magus in the most profound sense of the word.
Like many, I treasured his presence in my life. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
The colors of the rainbow will be dimmer without his earthly presence
Blessed Be

Devin Burr

February 10, 2020

Fritz, I will always remember our phone and email conversations with fondness. Although we never met in person, you always treated me as a friend. Your wit, your kindness, your sense of right and duty, your ability to inspire...these things and so many others will be missed by me and numerous friends, acquaintances, and patrons of yours. Until we meet again, my friend.

Jim Portlance

February 5, 2020

Some of my fondest memories are the visits to Napoleons and chats with Fritz. The last I saw him was six years ago at his bar in Fredonia. I along with a few other reenactors paid him a visit dressed as 18th century French soldiers. You should have seen him! We will all miss you dearly.

Sandy Ader

February 5, 2020

The first time I met you was in the bar, you sat down and talked to me like we were old friends. I knew then that we would be great friends. I cant remember a time where I came to see you that you didnt have that great smile and big hugs. I will truly miss our talks, your kindness and your honesty. I learned a lot from your wisdom. You are one of a kind. I will not miss that cane. Lol. I know I have an angel watching over Lucy and I. Love you my friend

Ve have great plans for you

Jason Gutermann

February 3, 2020

I met Fritz at his bar in Fredonia... I fell for the old "let fate decide" card trick and I was on his horse shoe league! He was an advocate for disc golf both on and off the village board and we used his tavern as a meeting point before and after rounds. I will miss his jokes and his humor. He had many bartenders and patrons believing that he had a civil war mummy in the basement of his bar and I'm still not sure if it was true or not! The company and conversations we shared were fantastic and I will miss them deeply and dearly. I still have a hand written note from him that says "Ve have great plans for you -"

Wallace "Buz" Barlow

February 3, 2020

50 years ago I stopped by Sanctum on my way back to the office after an appearance in Federal Court and began a friendship that changed my life forever. Of course, Fritz made me laugh then and never stopped through our last conversation the week before his passing. Over the many decades that followed and my move to Texas, we shared all that life offers each of us from triumphs to tragedies and I was honored to serve as his counsel in some form or another through it all. He affirmed me by referring others in their of need and warned that when I incorporated his "Milwaukee Temple of the Wiccan Rede" that I would forever be identified as "one of those." Most importantly, I was deeply blessed to know him for who he truly was... a brilliant, loving man who saw the world from a unique perspective and could always be counted on in a time of trouble. I will honor his admonition to "remember in my case the attorney-client privilege survives the grave." I will hold you close dear friend until we are no longer absent the one from the other.

Leslie Andrich

February 3, 2020

Fritz and Napoleon's. What can I say about him and his store? I guess the best thing to say is that both are wonderful memories. As long as Fritz lives in our memories, he will never be gone.

Paul Pettit

February 2, 2020

I spent many afternoons at Napoleon's. He and I knew each other well. Rest in peace my old friend. Till we meet again.

Debashis Mukherjee

February 1, 2020

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Daniel Chaudoir

February 1, 2020

I knew Fritz well and will miss him. I think about him all the time. Fritz and I were members of the same Masonic lodge.. When I met Fritz, he was recovering from a motorcycle accident. As an adventurer, entrepreneur, jokester, hobbyist, and a man of sound ethical principle, Fritz got the most out of life. Thanks for the memories my friend.

Edward Grice

February 1, 2020

Saddened to hear about Fritz. I hadn't spoken with him in around ten years, but it speaks volumes about him that I still feel his passing even after all that time. A giant in all the communities he was a part of.

Bonnie

February 1, 2020

I doubt the boys remember me, but I was their babysitter back in the early 70's for one summer. I might have even been the sitter for Autumn because I remember they had a girl, but I might have learned that from the downstairs neighbors, Bill and Marsha. Bill and Marsha are the ones who recommended me to your parents. I hardly saw Fritz as he was always at the store. I did not know they had opened it at that time of his life. I do remember your Dad telling me he enjoyed the thought of my taking you 2 boys to the park almost everyday the weather would permit. I remember I remember someone (??LOL) loving Kraft Mac n Cheese everyday and stopping at the little store to get some on our walks. Your Dad loved his kids very much and my taking you out and pooping you out made it so you both slept well at night, so your parents could get some much needed rest. My Condolences to the family

Ian Kelly

February 1, 2020

I met Fritz only online - we never, alas, met in person. I knew him as a thoughtful man, full of wit and knowledge, and generous with his time. I shall miss his company, and I pray that all those others that knew him and loved him will find consolation.
God bless you, Fritz.

Rebecca Anderson

January 31, 2020

A creative, mischievous soul has left his earthly body but he is stil among us with his laughter, pranks, and intelligence. Farewell Fritz

Mary Walterman

January 31, 2020

I knew Fritz from Sanctum Regnum back in my learning days of the science of Magick. He kept me on the straight and narrow and helped me become a woman living the magical life.
I will hold him in my heart forever.
Thank you Fritz.

Ragsdale Jeffrey

January 31, 2020

From 2005 until his death and among his many other hobbies, Fritz was a titanic figure in the Kingdom of Talossa (www.talossa.com), a micronation claiming the East Side of Milwaukee and which was founded in 1979.

Everything I have read on Facebook and this guest book confirms what we in Talossa already knew: Fritz's being a gentleman who spoke truth to power when the community needed him most. He was loved by people from around the world who now mourn his passing into glory in that we miss him more than words can say.

Franz and family, we send you love, light, prayers, vibes, and everything else. Fritz's memory is already a blessing, and we know it will continue to be forevermore.

January 31, 2020

Fritz, my beloved magical friend - Our high time at Sanctum Regnum was a rite of joy. Sleep well & arise in the Light. Jeannie

Steven Alexander

January 30, 2020

I knew Fritz in the eighties when he ran Napoleon's gaming store. Highly charismatic and intelligent. I enjoyed his company and we shared many an hour on the gaming tables. I also was in the airgun combat club with him. That was fun. He lived life well and i am sorry his health gave out at a younger age. Fritz was one of the people you meet in life who leaves an imression. I will remember him fondly.

Mike Alexander

January 30, 2020

My brother and I met Fritz in the 1980s as customers at his wargame store Napoleons and became friends and gaming competitors until his store closed. I kept in touch after that when he moved to Fredonia. He was one of a kind. A charisma mixed with a mysterious nature that you enjoyed being around. He added to my existence and will be missed by all who valued his keen intellect and insightful view of the world. I feel privileged to have counted him as a friend and his departure leaves me saddened. My sympathies go out to his family.

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