Fritz Weresch

Frederick Marion Weresch, always known as "Fritz," made his debut in this world on October 6, 2004, in Tacoma, WA. His parents, Wes Weresch and Eileen Weresch-Doornink witnessed a miracle unfold as their precious little "Fritzel," born without a functional esophagus, survived and grew and thrived with the loving expertise of the NICU team at Tacoma General Hospital and the attentive, devoted care of his parents.
Eileen became an "honorary NICU nurse" over the five long months that Fritz spent at Tacoma General. But his favorite actual NICU nurse, known lovingly to this day by her full name, "Nurse Sarah," was a favorite until his end of days.
Fritz's parents met in college, married early and then waited 18 years to add a third little human member to their "pack." The next 18 years with Fritz would be sublime, even though they didn't feel like enough. Wes and Eileen always said they won the kid lottery. Fritz fit in seamlessly, was easy to raise, and enriched their lives beyond measure.
Fritz's entrance into the world was "classic Fritz," somehow both extremely momentous, yet weirdly perfect. His godfather Rick King (yes, the "Rick" in Frederick), referred to his entrance, as well as his ultimate exit, as the worst-case scenarios. But he immediately added that Fritz somehow turned both events into the best-case scenarios. Oh Fritz, always the perfect bridge between two extremes!
It was in those early days at the NICU that Fritz's character traits revealed themselves quickly, not only to his parents, but to the doctors, nurses and multitudes of visitors who were willing to go through the strict medical protocol to do so. From the get-go, Fritz was empathetic, diplomatic, and charming in his quiet way. Even as an infant, Fritz had the uncanny power to connect, and then touch people's lives in a deeply meaningful way. But almost more powerful was his ability to facilitate meaningful connections between other people. This was his superpower.
Fritz was born into a legacy of generosity and love. On his mom's side, his grandfather Dr. Glenn Doornink was a beloved physician in the Yakima Valley, who touched countless lives through the decades, caring for his patients both physically and spiritually. On his dad's side, Paul Weresch is a pastor who spent many years ministering in Eastern Europe behind the iron curtain. When these two men met in Germany in 1985, Paul and Glenn became not only fast friends, but also travelling cohorts and a powerhouse duo, ministering to and providing much needed medical care and supplies to people in those devastated and oppressed countries behind the iron curtain. Fritz was aware of his grandfathers' many contributions to the world. In his teens, Fritz was able to visit many of those destinations, and see first-hand the results of this legacy of generosity and love they jointly sowed. Following in these formidable footsteps, Fritz's final act was one of extreme generosity when he became an organ donor.
Fritz and his parents traversed life as an inseparable unit. Fritz spent his earliest years growing up in Tacoma in an eclectic, repurposed appliance store building transformed by his parents into Wes's professional recording studio on one side and Eileen's law office on the other, joined by a super-cool lounge and gathering area in between. With both parents self-employed, there was never a need for babysitters, although many friends dropped by to spend time with this miracle child, play music and hang out with him in that magical space.
Fritz moved to Wapato at two years old when the Weresch pack decided to relocate to the valley to help care for Eileen's aging parents. Much to the joy of these grandparents, Fritz was able to live right at the bottom of the big hill where they lived on the Doornink Fruit Ranch in Parker Heights. Side benefit... nearby cousins!! Fritz was #36 of 36 first cousins on the Doornink side, many of whom lived in the valley. Fritz loved his cousins, and they eagerly counted down the days until the annual Doornink Family Reunion, which, as a four-day camp-style gathering, was better than Christmas to them!
As the only grandchild on the Weresch side, Fritz was quite happy being doted on continuously by his Opa and Oma, as well as his beloved uncles and aunts with their undivided attention. Fritz may or may not have been spoiled. Fritz reveled in their love and obtained a passport early in life so he could visit them and other family members in Canada and Europe.
When Fritz was 3 ½, they decided to deepen their roots in the Valley. They went house shopping and as Eileen likes to say, "accidentally bought a wedding venue." Of course, there are no accidents. As a joint effort between Eileen, Wes, Nurse Sarah, and the previous owners, Pam and Francis McSharry, Cascade became Fritz's home! It was an answer to a prayer they hadn't yet prayed. Nurse Sarah even relocated to Yakima to live next door to Fritz. Fritz felt lucky to live at Cascade Garden, spending the rest of his days in the most beautiful, lovely, and funky four acres of paradise you can imagine. Fritz participated in more weddings and celebrations than any kid should!
Fritz grew up with many four-legged and two-legged pack members dogs, cats, birds, chickens and even a very important opossum. However, Fritz was entirely a cat person. Since the day Frankie was born on his bed 14 years ago, that black cat has been Fritz's constant companion. They were so bonded that when Fritz was old enough to go to school, Eileen had to retrieve Frankie off the school bus more than once before Frankie figured out, he wasn't invited to school.
Although Fritz had plenty of family, he also felt the solitude of an only child. He carried this solitude well, but he also had a special way of drawing people to him, as many of you experienced. He had immediately gathered Nurse Sarah as a close family member. At the age of four, he also became a full-fledged member of the Fiander family, with Jack and Deborah as his second parents, and Sam, Gray and Brandt as his brothers to the end. Christmases together, joint vacations, and countless memories!
As a young person, Fritz was on the Yakima YAC swim team and participated in West Valley track and field. His parents required him to play one season of team sports, but you'll have to come to the memorial service or ask someone to tell you the BEST story about how 7th grade basketball turned out!
Fritz also enjoyed golf and especially skiing at White Pass. (Oh, buddy, the snow this year misses you.) But his favorite "sports" of all involved video games and board games. He studied them deeply and then showed no mercy to his opponents.
Fritz loved Halloween. He sported some iconic costumes over the years and hosted some epic Halloween parties. he did have an incredible event venue at his full disposal, after all. And we won't even get started on the birthday and pool parties throughout the years. Oh my.
Fritz was smart, and a quick learner. He thrived in school and got good grades, except for when he didn't. (Like both his parents, Fritz was a procrastinator extraordinaire.) As a senior at West Valley High School, he especially enjoyed German class, as well as public speaking, poetry, and current events. Even though he had an artist's soul, he firmly intended to become a math teacher or a famous actor, whichever!
Actually, music was Fritz's thing. He enjoyed all types of music and music came easily to him. He could pick up any instrument and make it sing. He learned piano as a child. He recently taught himself to play guitar, and with pure love, he serenaded anyone lucky enough to listen. He chose trombone in band and then moved to tuba where he achieved the most delicious bass tones that provided a beautiful foundation for the amazing music the band kids created together. Words cannot describe how much he loved marching band almost enough to make him consider being a music teacher. "But it's too much theory, Mom," he would say when urged to consider it. "But, Child, music theory is just math," Eileen would respond, using one of his many nicknames.
When COVID hit the family event business hard, Fritz stood strong with his family. Even though he was isolated from his peers, Fritz managed quite well. With no events, the small family experienced financial hardship, but this was entirely outweighed by an abundance of family time. His "pack" enjoyed a treasured summer together, spending days and weeks on end at the Yakima Boat Club on Fritz's beloved Rimrock lake. The next year, when the business could start the process of un-shuttering and when employees were impossible to find, Fritz played a key role, and he rallied his high school friends to keep weddings and events functioning during that very difficult return season and in the season that followed. Eileen and Wes are forever indebted to his beautiful friends.
Fritz could traverse and easily navigate a diverse world. This was second nature to him. For example, he could comfortably stroll into the lobby of a 5-star hotel toting his belongings in a reusable grocery bag. Why? Easier that way who cares plus you don't have to drag out the luggage. Practical and marching to the beat of his own drum, always.
Though his life was short in time, it was rich in experiences and impact. Because of the events surrounding his first months on this planet, Wes and Eileen were not surprised to witness the many connections and innumerable momentous events surrounding his death. Too many to mention, but miraculous indeed.
Fritz was a true free spirit, and like true free spirits he cannot be defined. Here is a feeble attempt to convey Fritz to you with some words. First and foremost, Fritz was a true and loyal friend to anyone in need of a friend. Affectionate, deep thinker, compassionate, empathetic, non-conformist, gentle, musical, the one who quietly urged the shy kids to participate and share their thoughts in class, excellent debater, proficient German speaker, teacher at heart, cautious, a person unapologetically in touch with his inner fashionista, and a true citizen of the world.
He came into the world connected to many tubes and wires and left the same way. Classic Fritz. He knew how to make an entrance and an exit! Many loved him dearly.
Fritz was found unconscious from unknown but natural causes on November 30th and was pronounced brain dead on December 6, 2022. Much has been made of Fritz's decision to become an organ donor and the joy this brings! It was his gift to the world. Freely given. And his legacy lives on.
Fritz is survived by his parents, Wes Weresch and Eileen Weresch-Doornink, his grandparents Paul and Betty Weresch, his Uncle Daniel Weresch and his wife Bryn Meadows, his Uncle Jonathan Weresch and his wife Jen Erickson. Fritz also leaves behind Nurse Sarah (Sarah E. McCrory), the Fiander family, and his beloved cat Frankie. Fritz is loved by a large extended family with many aunts, uncles, and cousins on his mom's side, including the extended Doornink families, the extended Boothman family, and the extended Calhoun family. Fritz was preceded in death by his grandparents, Glenn and Mary Ellen Doornink, and just recently, his cousin, Brian Calhoun.
A Celebration of Life and Reception will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at West Valley High School, at 1:00pm. All are invited.
If you want to learn more about organ donation and Fritz's journey, you can google "Fritz Weresch Honor Walk," and "Eric's Heroes Fritz's final journey." Please encourage those around you to mark "yes" to organ donation on your permits, licenses, and IDs.
A Scholarship Fund is being set up. For more information and to leave memories and condolences, please visit www.brooksidefuneral.com.