Edward Ryan Fraedrich

Edward Ryan Fraedrich of Burke, VA, 67, passed away at Fairfax Hospital on April 28, 2025.
A native of Northern Virginia, he was born on January 28, 1958, to Doran and Jannette Fraedrich. At the age of 11, he first picked up the saxophone, a talent that soon became his lifelong passion and vocation. Ed graduated from Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, and later earned a Bachelor of Music degree from George Mason University and a Master of Music degree from The Catholic University of America. In 1984 he married the love of his life, Eileen; the two spent over 40 wonderful music-filled years together.
Professionally, Ed performed as a saxophone soloist with many distinguished ensembles throughout his career, including the National Symphony Orchestra and the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, as well as numerous bands. He taught hundreds of saxophone students across five decades. In addition to giving private lessons and leading saxophone sectionals at local schools, he was an adjunct saxophone professor at American University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, The Catholic University of America, and, since 2011, George Mason University. To the generations of students he inspired, he was not only a teacher but a mentor, role model, and trusted friend. He took great pride in his students' many accomplishments.
Ed's love for music was exceeded only by his devotion to his family. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, he made time for every major milestone, school concert, award ceremony, or field trip. He was always only a phone call away, ready to drop everything and help out with all problems, big or small. From car trouble to last-minute deadlines to cooking advice, Ed was there to save the day. His family fondly remembers his legendary sense of humor, his inventiveness, and above all, his selfless love for them.
Ed was an avid outdoorsman and Eagle Scout who loved camping, hiking, and biking, especially with his family. Together, he and Eileen visited almost every Virginia State Park and enjoyed updating a push-pin park map created by their daughter, Lauren. Most weekends Ed and Eileen could be found hiking and exploring the outdoors. In his younger days, Ed took a season to ride his bicycle from Virginia to Florida, a perfect example of his drive to embrace challenges. A voracious reader, Ed never went anywhere without his library card and a book or two in tow–his knowledge was vast and he had a thirst for learning new things. (He was our "Siri".) He was also a gifted and endlessly creative cook and a dedicated fan of the Washington football team. His many memorable puns and turns of phrase took on a life of their own; his students even created t-shirts listing his top 10 most notable quotes.
When not performing in his tuxedo, Ed loved to wear t-shirts from his three children's alma maters. He proudly attended all of their college graduations and weddings and was thrilled to become a grandfather to Henry Fraedrich in 2024. Before his passing, he welcomed his newborn grandson, Arthur Fraedrich-Ngo.
He is survived by his loving wife, Eileen; daughter, Megan Fraedrich (Jeffrey Elmore); son, Daniel Fraedrich (Sydney); daughter, Lauren Fraedrich (Kenlee Ngo); and his cherished grandsons, Henry and Arthur; his brothers, D. David Fraedrich (Shelley) and Douglas Fraedrich (Laura); his mother-in-law, Shirley Watson; and his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to one of the following: Dewberry School of Music at George Mason University
https://music.gmu.edu/give
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Memo: Music Scholarship Fund in Memory of Edward Fraedrich.
4400 University Drive, MS1A3, Fairfax, VA 22030. Washington Farm United Methodist Church
https://washingtonfarmumc.org/welcome/give/
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3921 Old Mill Road, Alexandria, VA 22309.