Heinz W. Fruh

1928 - 2022

Fruh, Heinz W.

December 18, 1928 - November 28, 2022

Heinz William Fruh was born on December 18, 1928 in Nuremberg, Germany. His parents, Michael J. and Alice Greenbaum Fruh, left Germany in 1935 and relocated the family to New York City, NY. Heinz attended elementary school on Long Island and remembered Long Island as a favorite time of his childhood. Several years later, the family moved to Greensboro, NC where Heinz graduated from Rankin High School and went on to study at Elon College, now Elon University.

After college, Heinz married Jean Starr Schoolfield and started a career with Truitt Steel Manufacturing and later worked in sales for Airco in Greensboro. Heinz then started his own business, North State Welding Supplies, which was in operation until he sold to Airgas Corp., where he retired in 1998.

Heinz and Jean had three children, Shirley Fruh Stoneman, Judith Fruh Jarvis and William Stephen Fruh. Heinz played drums and loved jazz music, was an athlete who attended college on a football scholarship and continued to enjoy sports his entire life. He was an avid swimmer and as a young man, Heinz spent summers as a life guard at the beach. He continued his love of the coast by spending vacations and retirement time at Sunset Beach, NC.

Heinz was a natural grandfather and loved by all his grandchildren. They all remember dancing with granddad as he whistled a song, singing and taught them dance steps. He attended and supported sporting events, music recitals and how to build sandcastles with structural detail. Holidays, vacations and birthdays were more fun if granddad was there to start the party.

Heinz was predeceased by his wife, Jean, who passed away in 1980. He is survived by his daughter, Shirley Stoneman of Asheville, NC, daughter, Judy Jarvis and son in law Bill Booth of Columbia, SC, son, Steve Fruh and daughter-in-law, Terre Oosterwyk of Cary, NC; grandchildren, Lisa Stoneman, El Cerrato, CA, grandson, Eric Stoneman, Asheville, NC, granddaughter, Sharon Lawson, Athens, GA, grandson, Chris Jarvis, Columbia, SC. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Anna Lawson, James Lawson, Luke Lawson, Michael Stoneman, William Stoneman and Evie Wasson. Following the death of his wife Jean, Heinz was blessed to have met Gerry Burnside and together they shared a loving life for over 40 years.

An 11 a.m. service Monday, December 5, 2022, will be held at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church, 5120 Burlington Road, Greensboro, NC 27405. A family gathering will take place at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Forbis & Dick Funeral Services, 1118 N Elm St., Greensboro, NC (336-275-8408) are handling the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Boys Town, boystown.org/give.

Online condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com.