William Frueh

1935 - 2026

He was born on March 3, 1935, on a farm one mile east of Afton, Iowa, the son of the late John W. and Ethyl M. Frueh. Survivors include his beloved wife Denise of Oshkosh and Cape Coral, one daughter, Patricia (Brian) Black of Escanaba, Michigan, four sons; Mark (Nancy) of Joliet, IL, John (Suzan) of Carriere, MS, Thomas (Suzanne) of Hendersonville, NC, and Dr. James (Elizabeth) of Seattle, WA. Also surviving is brother Charles (Martha) of Fort Smith, AR and brothers-in-law Douglas and David (Pat Sticka) Johnson. One brother, John E. Frueh and three sisters, Claudine Frueh, Margaret Shepherd and Sr. Patricia Frueh preceded him in death. Nine grandchildren, (Tristan Klotz and Henry Black; William, Alexander, Kort, Samuel, Amelia, Charlotte and Bazil Frueh), three great grandchildren (Andrew and Hannah Klotz, and Violet Frueh), and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends further survive Bill.

After graduating from Afton High School as Class Valedictorian in 1953, Bill worked his way to a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1958. His public service career started with employment with the Iowa State Highway Commission in Council Bluffs, Iowa and continued until 1961. He formed a consulting engineering firm with two partners and worked throughout Southwestern Iowa. His career in municipal government began September 1962 as City Engineer of Council Bluffs. Other positions he filled in the Council Bluffs city government include Director of Public Works, Director of Engineering and Planning, Airport Manager, Assistant City Manager and Acting City Manager. He served on the United Way board of directors and in 1967 the Council Bluffs Jaycees named him "Outstanding Young Man of the Year".

In April 1968, Bill was named the City Manager of Newton, New Jersey. Besides carrying out many public improvements in Newton, Bill was especially active with Boy Scout fundraising and the Newton Chamber of Commerce.

In November 1970, Bill was named City Manager of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Urban renewal, public housing and a new City Hall were among the improvements constructed during Bill's tenure. He continued his interest and support of the Boy Scouts and served on the Shawnee United Way and Shawnee Chamber of commerce boards of directors.

In June 1975, Oklahoma Governor David Boren appointed Bill as the first Director of the Department of Economic and Community Affairs, a position on the governor's cabinet with statewide planning and community support responsibilities.

On August 1st, 1976, Bill became the Oshkosh City Manager, a position he held for 20 years. The many civic improvements to Oshkosh during that period led to Bill been named as one of the ten most influential citizens of the 20th-century by a poll of Oshkosh citizens and the Oshkosh Northwestern on January 1st, 2000. He was highly active in the Oshkosh community with service to the YMCA, Boy Scouts, the Chamber of Commerce, the CHAMCO board of directors, the OCDC board of directors, the Oshkosh Symphony board of directors and the Oshkosh Boys and Girls Club board of directors. He served as District Chairman of the Boy Scouts and was President of the Oshkosh Symphony board in 1988-1989. His service to the Oshkosh United Way included being Public Service Employees Chairman for 20 years, several years on the board of directors and overall Campaign Manager in 1997.

Bill retired as City manager of Oshkosh on August 1st, 1996. With his wife Denise, they formed Frueh Consulting Services, an engineering and land-surveying firm. Denise and Bill, along with their longtime friend, Dr. Stephen Hintz, also formed Public Administration Associates, a consulting firm for municipalities in Wisconsin. These firms were particularly successful and were a source of great satisfaction to Bill, his partners, and their clients. Just two years ago Bill was actively land surveying for local clients, something he truly enjoyed. In retirement, Bill continued his public service with being a volunteer driver for the American Red Cross, a bell ringer and veteran appointment driver for the Salvation Army and service on the Board of Directors of the Oshkosh Area Chamber of Commerce.

Bill enjoyed following the Packers, Brewers and Badgers, travel, the Saturday crossword, trivia and Pie on the Porch. He was an accomplished water skier having taught not only many nieces and nephews, but over 100 persons to water ski as the Boy Scout Merit Badge Councilor as well as for the Citizenship Merit Badges. He loved boating and classical music.

In 2015 Bill and Denise purchased a condo in Cape Coral, FL where they spent winters and made many new friends. They continued their record of volunteer service with the Salvation Army by working on the Ft. Myers area Angel Tree Christmas program.

Bill always felt that he was fortunate in having such a meaningful life. He was most thankful for the friendship, cooperation, and guidance of many wonderful people throughout his lifetime.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held in Oshkosh at a later date. Location, date and time will be announced in the Oshkosh Herald. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation in Bill's memory.