A gregarious yet private man, Fritz was one with the world around him. He had movie star good looks and an abundance of charm. He was industrious, hardworking, quietly brilliant and immensely clever.

Whether he was building his own house, reading a book, landscaping a yard, putting out a fire, sailing on a lake or fixing a car, he was sure to be using both his hands and his brains. In work and in play he relished the challenge. Fritz loved to race anything with wheels. He was a self-taught mechanic specializing in fast motorcycles and sports cars. Fritz had a warm smile that made every life he touched feel brighter and every soul a little warmer.

After retiring from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, he started his own handyman business in Mariposa and later worked as a truck driver. He will be deeply missed.

Fritz died in his sleep in Santa Rosa at 62. He is survived by his son Leif Edwards of San Jose, Calif., sister Sally McNamara of St. Paul, Minn., brother Mark Edwards of Tempe, Ariz., and sister Leslie Cummings of Houston, Texas. He was the son of the late George Robert Edwards and Mary Bomberger Edwards. A memorial gathering was held in Modesto, Calif., at the Tuolumne River Lodge. Family and friends came from across the country to remember and celebrate Fritz’s life.