Charles William Friedrich, former longtime Hinsdale resident, passed away Jan. 25, 2020, at his winter home in Brooksville, Fla., after an eight-year battle with amyloidosis.
Bill, 76, was born in Elgin in 1943 to Charles K. and Veronica Friedrich. He attended St. Isaac Jogues grade school and graduated from St. Procopius (Benet Academy) High School in 1961. He went on to attend Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and graduated from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, in 1966 with a bachelor’s in business. While a student at Parsons, he met Janet Lee West, whom he married in 1970. The couple moved to Burr Ridge in 1976.
Bill worked as director of personnel at National Castings, Continental Tube company in Bellwood where he served on the chamber of commerce, and at the Lemont Shipyard. He later worked as a consultant, became president and CEO of Brule Combustion Engineering and Equipment, and later a licensed insurance agent.
Bill was a long-time parishioner of St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale, where he was active as a Eucharistic minister among other activities. He was a fond friend to many through more than a dozen organizations. His family and friends will remember him for his kindness, generosity, sense of humor and deep religious faith. He had a passion for antique cars, boats and airplanes and made them his lifelong hobbies. He held many leadership positions in the car clubs to which he belonged, including president of the national Packard Club and director of the local region, Packards of Chicagoland. He was often seen in local parades driving his green 1952 Packard convertible. He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus Mayslake Council and former Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 56. He volunteered with civic organizations such as the Downers Grove Township Republicans, for which he was a precinct committeeman for more than 30 years. He was also a member of the Willowbrook/Burr Ridge Kiwanis Club, and served a term as school board treasurer of District 180. He was particularly proud of having been the founding president of the Burr Ridge Park District.
Bill is survived by his wife, Janet; his children, Joan (Joe) Jablonski and Ken (Michelle) Friedrich; his grandchildren, Anna, Kate and Julia Jablonski and Charlie Friedrich; his sister, Suzanne (Dennis) Connors; his brother, James (Mary Lou); his aunt, Carole Sharpe, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral Mass was said Feb. 10 at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Hinsdale.
Interment will be private.
