Manfred Fricke, 85, of Chicago, IL, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2022. Manfred was born in Osnabruck, Germany in 1937. He spent his early years in northern Germany before emigrating to the United States in 1959.

Manfred was an incredible husband, father, brother, and Opi. Preceded in death by the love of his life, Renate Fricke, with whom he shared 59 happy years of marriage. Survived by his sister Ingelore König (Hans-Jurgen König). Proud father of four children, Evelyn Hughes, Eileen Fricke, Perry Fricke (Gretchen Fricke), and Renee Fricke (late Shanon Chapman). Loving Opi to six grandchildren, Kaylan Chapman (Bianca Chapman), Alexandra Chapman, Jennifer Hughes, Stephanie Finn (Daniel Finn), Carson Fricke (Haley Hundelt), Elise Fricke; and three great grandchildren, Ariana Lee, Cayden Finn, and Barrett Finn.

Supported with love and care by his late parents Wanda (Maug) Fricke and Friederich Fricke.

Manfred was an exceptional pastry chef. He learned his trade in Germany and worked for many years as a pastry chef at Carson Pirie Scott and the Mid America Club in Chicago. During his career, Manfred had the opportunity to bake for notable guests including Oprah, Mayor Daley, and the King and Queen of Norway, among others. His amazing creations satiated the sweet tooth of friends, family, and guests from around the world.

Manfred had a great passion for travel and enjoyed camping with his family all over the US. Many wonderful family vacations were taken while his children were growing up in their VW camper van. Manfred’s love and enthusiasm of travel lives on through his children and grandchildren who have inherited his wanderlust excitement.

Manfred was a devoted family man, whose number one priority was the well-being of his family, near and far. He was the family historian, who carefully curated centuries of ancestral photos and documented stories for future generations to cherish. He meticulously captured his family's adventures via journals, photo albums, and videos. Manfred was also an avid stamp and coin collector.

Manfred was loved very much by his family and friends, and his sense of humor, wisdom, compassion, generosity, and adventure-filled personality will be greatly missed by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting or spending time with him.

A celebration of his life will be held outdoors on Saturday, June 4 at 1pm at McDowell Grove Forest Preserve located at 4s500 Raymond Dr, Naperville, IL 60563.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Manfred Fricke to the National Park Foundation at Click Here or Memorial Gifts, National Park Foundation, 1500 K Street, Suite 700, Washington, DC, 20005.