Glenn Erwin Fretz

Glenn Erwin Fretz, 85, of Macungie died peacefully at home on August 14, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Jane Aylor Fretz. Glenn was the son of the late John Erwin and Margaret Souders Fretz of Emmaus, PA and Clearwater, Florida. A graduate of Emmaus High School, Glenn established a career in his hometown by becoming a licensed Realtor with Fretz Realty, Inc. at the age of 18. At 21, he became a broker and at the age of 24, he became a partner in his family's firm joining his father, Erwin and uncle, Harvey Fretz. He soon was joined by his brother, David and cousin, John. Glenn was a highly respected businessman and enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a Realtor, serving two terms as President of the Allentown Board of Realtors in 1971 and 1980. Additionally, he served on the Pennsylvania State Board of Realtors; the Pennsylvania State Standard Forms Committee; taught the ethics course to new Realtors at Penn State for 20 years; served as Mediator for the Board of Realtors; and was selected Realtor of the Year in 1974. He became President of Prudential Fretz Realty when the company became part of the Prudential franchise. In 2006, the Fretz family sold their Prudential franchise to Prudential Patt-White Realtors, later becoming Berkshire-Hathaway, and Glenn continued as broker where he enjoyed working as Realtor Emeritus until 2024. He continued to operate Fretz Realty as a property management company where he maintained his reputation for treating clients and tenants with polite consideration. Notes of appreciation were received thanking Glenn for either his excellent service or compassion and consideration of his tenants. He was known to provide additional assistance in order to help those underserved succeed. Active in the community, Glenn chaired the Planned Giving Committee of the United Way of Lehigh County in the past and was Vice President of the Baum Art School Board. He served the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital as a member of the Professional Relations and Quality Committee; member of the Executive Committee; Vice-Chair and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, his service spanning 17 years from 1992-2009. A member of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit since 1976, he was a past president of Church Council and served on the Spirit Support Team (pastoral care) with his wife, Jane. A natural athlete, Glenn was skilled at golf, tennis, and his great love, sailing. He spent countless summer days on Lake Nockamixon in his orange day sailer 'The Flying Dutchman.' An able captain, he instilled confidence in his crew and is affectionately remembered for calling out "Ready about? Hard-alee!" to prep them for a tack. His later adventures in his boat 'Seagacious' included trips across the Chesapeake from the Eastern Shore of Maryland to Baltimore and Annapolis. Glenn is remembered by all who knew him as a strong, honest man of gentle spirit and great courage. His family loved him for his patience, kindness and integrity. Some men leave their mark on the world by the way they live and the difference they make in the lives they touch. Glenn was such a man. In addition to his wife, Jane, he was predeceased by his son, Jay Fretz, his daughter, Dana Fretz Friz, and his brother, David Fretz. He is survived by his daughters, Gwen Fretz Reed and her husband Calvin of Buckeye, AZ; Meredith Fretz Merino and her husband Stephen of Media, PA; step-daughters, Joni Scandola of Silver Spring, MD; Julie Scandola and her husband Douglas Proctor of Stuarts Draft, VA; step-sons, James Scandola of Houston, TX; John Scandola and his wife Cassidy of Seattle, WA; 19 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; Sister, Jean Fretz Shelling of Atlanta, GA; nieces, nephews and cousins. SERVICES: A service to celebrate Glenn's life will be held on Friday, August 22 at 11am at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 3461 S. Cedar Crest Blvd, Emmaus. Visitations will be held on Thursday, August 21 from 5:30-8pm at Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, 225 Elm Street, Emmaus, and on Friday, August 22 from 10-11am at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit immediately preceding the service. Service of Christian Burial with family will be held in the family plot at the Northwood Cemetery in Emmaus immediately following the service. CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital or the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit.