Dr. Fritz H.E. Oertel, Jr.

DR. FRITZ H.E. OERTEL, JR.

Our beloved father, husband, brother, and “Pop-Pop”, passed away on February 10, 2025. Although he will be sorely missed here, we know he has gone to a better place.

Dr. Oertel, of Dunn, NC, was born on September 18, 1934 to Fritz H.E. Oertel, Sr. and Blanche Lorena Spencer of Randolph County, NC. He was a 1952 graduate of New Hanover High School in Wilmington, NC. Fritz attended Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta for three years on the industrial cooperative plan and attended Hochschule Darmstadt in Darmstadt, Germany for two years. He graduated from NC State in Raleigh with a degree in mechanical engineering where he was also a recipient of a National Defense Education Act Fellowship for three years post graduate work leading to a doctorate in philosophy. In August of 1960, he married LaVonne Stout of Asheboro, NC. His education was briefly interrupted by a two-year tour of duty with the US Army where he very promptly received a promotion to Captain. While serving in the Military, the US Government became very interested in the thesis he was preparing for his Doctorate. Subsequently, he became an employee of Ballistic Research Lab of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland after his tour of Military duty was complete. He continued to work on his thesis and graduated with his PhD in absentia from NC State in 1970. He continued to work at BRL, in Maryland, for 18 years. Fritz then accepted a position with the Army Research Office in Research Triangle Park, NC. This led to his eventually becoming Director of the European Research Office in London, for three years. While living in London, he was inducted into the Sir Hugh Myddleton Masonic Lodge and became an active member. Much later, he became the Science Advisor to the Commanding General, US Army Japan. He retired from his work in 1992.

Dr. Oertel loved athletic endeavors and competition. He was an avid participant in the Senior Games of Wake, Beaufort/Pitt, and Lee Counties, in NC. He was very proud of the medals he won, especially, the ones he received in the swimming competition. He also enjoyed working on genealogy and his electronic keyboard.

He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonne, his son, Scott Alexander Oertel and his brother, Eric Spencer Oertel. Fritz is survived by a daughter, Angela Adam (Christopher) of Willow Springs, NC, son, Jeff of Aberdeen, Maryland, son, Bruce of Arizona, a sister, Virginia Bussey of Dunn, NC, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

There will a visitation from 12:30-1:30 pm on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at Pugh Funeral Home prior to the graveside service to be held in Oaklawn Cemetery beginning at 2:00 pm.

Memorials may be made to the Mental Health Association.