Thomas C. Fritchman, 83, passed away Saturday, April 1, 2023, at home in Omaha, Nebraska; just a few weeks shy of his 84th birthday. He was born April 14,1939 in Omaha, the eldest son of Thomas and Hazel (Gardner) Fritchman.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara (Bell) Fritchman, youngest daughter, Sandra “Sam” (Fritchman) Galligo, son-in-law, Theodore “Ted” Lefkowitz, grandparents Jasper and Ivaloo (Fritchman) Fritchman/Claude and Alma (Grow) Gardner, one granddaughter, two younger sisters, one younger brother; and countless life-long friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

Survivors include his eldest daughter, Nyceitta “Nicci” Fritchman-Lefkowitz of Bainbridge Island, WA; beloved family friend, Kelly Andersen; treasured neighbors, Dick Klabunde and Linda Bertch; numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of Nebraska, Iowa and beyond; and many cousins and friends of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, and beyond.

I will remember my dad as a passionate, generous, playful, hardworking, smart, sassy, philanthropic, hilarious, “no excuses, just get it done,” and kindhearted blessing to all who knew him. He survived polio and scarlet fever as a child, a life altering auto accident as a young man, and cancer as an adult. He was born into poverty, grew up on a poultry farm, served in the army and national guard, and worked hard to support his wife and two daughters, all the while successfully transforming his life into a beautifully abundant expression of his creative spirit. His ability to defuse conflict with simple humor was second to none. He loved gardening, traveling, finding treasures for friends on road trips, reading the paper out loud to mom every day, yelling at politicians on television, and secretly gifting unsuspecting folks around town by paying for their supper, buying their groceries, or handing over cash to help buy their kids Christmas presents. In his own words, “please do not be sad but celebrate my freedom; know that I am filled with joy to be free of pain and suffering, and to be reunited with my eternal love, my wife!”

One of his regrets was that he didn’t live long enough to see the tulips he planted last fall surrounding the tree that shelters the entrance to his sacred home, his church. One of his true delights was helping his neighbor, Dick, assemble and blow up life size Christmas balloons and then lighting up the neighborhood with his own lights and fun decorations.

Celebration of Life, April 14th, 5:00 - 7:00pm...Please bring tulips!