Fred Carl Hultenschmidt Jr (Fritz) was born September 23, 1946, in Deadwood, South Dakota, to Fred and Frankie (Alexander) Hultenschmidt.
In his youth, Fritz spent many summers in Quinn, SD, with his Aunt Elsie and Uncle Lloyd, where he learned ranching and developed his love of home-made bread. The family moved almost every year though Fritz’s childhood, from a sheep ranch in Belle Fouche, SD to the oil fields in Wyoming; Fort Pier, SD; Aurora, Minnesota; Padooka, Kentucky; Pickstown, SD; Sturgis SD (at age 11, where they stayed 3 years); Moab, Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah; and finally to Reno Nevada on Memorial Day weekend 1963 and then to Dixie Valley where they established a homestead and cattle ranch. Fritz and his dad built their home from ammunition boxes from the Hawthorne Army Depot.
Fritz began service in the United States Army in 1965 and was stationed in Worm, Germany, where he was trained as a mechanic. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1967 when his mother became ill and he was needed at home. Fritz helped his dad run the ranch, took an active part in raising nephew Shawn and traipsed around the valley in his blue 1936 Plymouth convertible with friends Curtis Hill, Russ Turley, Alvery Jackson, and Bill Bartlett. He loved ranching and horses and had the heart of a cowboy. Fritz and sister Beverly would attend the local square-dances and do the jitterbug. He loved to dance, and was good at it. He also loved to swim and enjoyed stock car races, the Indian Rodeos in Fallon and traveling, spending countless hours on his motorcycle exploring the canyons and countryside with friend Oleh Melnyk.
Fritz married Dixie Hill (McKay) in 1972, living first in Dixie Valley and then Fallon before settling in Gabbs in 1974. They welcomed son Fred in 1976 and daughter Lisa in 1978. Fritz worked as a mechanic at Basic Magnesium mine from 1974-1986 when he took a position with FMC. During this time he developed a reputation for being one of the best big-diesel mechanics in Northern Nevada and was sent to various classes to expand his skills. He and Dixie parted ways in 1992 and Fritz moved to Lovelock in 1993 when he took a job at Coeur. In November 1995 he was involved in an industrial accident, sending him to an early retirement and, ultimately, a powered wheel chair.
Fritz liked mechanics and tinkering, and took up wood working. He made tables, chairs, music stands, cabinets, and shelves. He built a ramped porch to his house and spent many evenings with his feet propped up on the rail, BBQing burgers and reading his westerns. He remodeled his bathroom in cedar and mirrors, making it, along with the rest of his home, handicapped accessible.
When the grandkids came along he adopted the nickname “Pop” or “Poppie.” He adored and spoiled the kids and could often be seen giving them rides on his chair or letting them ride the lift when he picked them up after school. He snuck them ice cream, milk shakes and Twinkies, and kept busy attending all of their events. He helped teach them checkers, how to shoot, and how to drive.
Pop loved dogs and found his companion, Natasha, at the shelter in Fallon. She was the only dog in the whole place who didn’t bark at him, in fear of his chair. The two of them became inseparable (even jet-skiing together) and would buzz around Lovelock daily, Natasha receiving treats and love from everyone and Pop beaming at the joy she would bring to others.
Pop loved lemonade, bread, fried chicken, gravy, apple pie and vanilla ice cream. He enjoyed the local cuisine and could be found partaking at Vijay’s or La Casita, who even named a burger after him. He rejoiced when the local Port of Subs opened and frequented them for a roast beef sandwich. He loved the Cowpoke Café and was often seen outside enjoying his coffee and smokes in the sunshine, beside the wagon wheels that he fashioned by hand.
Pop entered into eternal life in the early morning hours of September 18, 2015, with his children and faithful companion, Natasha by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Frankie Hultenschmidt; nephew Shawn Tanner; and grandson Justin Hultenschmidt. He is survived by sister Beverly Tanner of Fallon; children Fred Hultenschmidt, Desiree Hultenschmidt, and Jerry and Lisa (Hultenschmidt) Allen, all of Lovelock; grandchildren Brailen, Elias and Dylan.
If you would like to share your memories, please bring a chair and join Natasha and the family for an informal gathering in the Court House Park at 10am on Sunday, October 4. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter.
