Fritz H Goldbach

Fritz H. Goldbach is survived by his wife of 70 years, Caroline Meyers Goldbach; two children, Anne Catherine Goldbach (James V. DiNatale) and Lisa G. Geisse (Dr. John K. Geisse); three grandchildren, Jennifer Claire, Sarah Ann and Eva Pauline Geisse; and sister, Ilse Chorin. He was preceded in death by his sister, Martha Speyer.

Born October 8, 1919, in Marktbreit (suburban Wurzburg), Northern Bavaria, Germany, he arrived in the United States and in Indianapolis at the end of December, 1938 (six weeks after Kristallnacht).

He was drafted by the U.S. Army in the early fall of 1941 and inducted into the service at Ft. Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana. Promoted to 1st Sergeant ten months after entering the Army, he graduated from Officers Candidate School in the summer of 1943. He was assigned to overseas duty in the European Theater of Operations until the end of March, 1946, serving as an officer in G-2 Intelligence at General Dwight Eisenhower's Headquarters in London and Paris. At the end of the war, the military transferred him to his former home area, where he was stationed until early 1946 as the Officer in Charge of Trade and Industry for the district of Franconia in Northern Bavaria. The Colonel who was his commanding officer rated his performance "Superior". He returned to Indianapolis in March, 1947, where he was released from active service at Camp Atterbury in April and, later that same year, honored with the American Legion Award at the World War Memorial.

He was co-owner and Executive Vice President of J.P. Michael Company (the institutional wholesale food business), which later merged with CFS Continental, now Sysco, until his retirement August 31, 1972.

A member of the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation since 1952, he served on the Board of Directors for several terms, was elected President of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation Foundation, Chairman of the Dues Assessment Committee, Vice President and member of the Executive Committee, and Co-Chairman of the Budget Committee. He also served as a member of the Concerned Congregants Steering Committee and was honored by the congregation with a Mitzvah Award.

A member of the Society of Retired Executives, he acted as manager of the Small Business Division and served on the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and was the Fund Raising Chairman for several years. He received the Frederic M. Hadley Service Award, the Fund Raising Award, and an award for starting the Endowment Fund.

He was active in the Indianapolis community in a volunteer capacity, serving on the Hooverwood Board of Directors, the Jewish Welfare Federation of Greater Indianapolis Board of Directors, the JWF Executive Committee, and Chairman of the Cash Retention Committee. (Some people called him the "Enforcer") A 72 year member of Broadmoor Country Club, he served on its Board for twelve years. He also served on the Board of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Fritz will be remembered by his family as a loving husband, father and uncle. He was a man of serious intellect and possessed a wonderful sense of humor. Fritz loved to read and learn, loved little children, animals, and swimming, but most importantly, he loved his family.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to all his wonderful caregivers at Hooverwood.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 11th at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 North Meridian, at 11:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation South Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Hooverwood Guild. Friends may leave a memory or message of condolence at www.arnmortuary.com.

Shiva will be held at the Goldbach residence on Saturday and Sunday from 2 - 4 PM each day.