Charles C Fries

Obituary of Charles Fries Charles C. Fries shuffled off this mortal coil on a warm Thursday evening, September 3rd, at age 92. He died quietly in his "comfy chair" while watching a John Wayne movie. Having grown up in Ann Arbor Michigan as well as several European countries, Charley would often joke that he could misspell in several languages. Prior to his service as a Captain in the United States Army where he was posted in Puerto Rico during the Korean Conflict, he was a champion athlete, earning letters on the University of Michigan swimming team in 1943, 1944, 1945 and 1946. After years of research on heart-lung machines and vascular grafts, he moved to the Southern Tier as Director of the Surgical Residency program at what was then Wilson Memorial Hospital. He practiced as a general and vascular surgeon here until the time of his retirement at age 84. Charley left behind many who will miss him: his wife, Margaret, his brothers Pete and Bob - and their wives, Nancy Fries and Lesley Tompkins - as well as his sister, Carol Emshwiller. He leaves also his sons Chris, Mike and Galen - and their wives, Melanie, Tanna and Katerina - as well as grandchildren, great-grand children, nieces and nephews too numerous to name. He also leaves his stepson, Lee and his "pseudo-son", Dave, both of whom are grateful to him for his influence on their growth and development to manhood. Lastly, and most recently, he leaves behind his housemate, buddy, and occasional "exoskeleton at need", Leo, as well as his personal assistant, Anita, and her daughter Brittany - who rarely failed to elicit a smile or a song. He will be remembered fondly by all these folks, along with his colleagues and the numerous patients who benefited from his medical and surgical skills from 1948 to 2007 - many of whom also were also happy to call him "friend." A private memorial will be held sometime later this month for family and close friends. Gifts may be made in his memory to the University of Michigan Medical School, online at: http://medicine.umich.edu/medschool/about/alumni-givingTo forward condolences please visit www.demunnfh.com.