Photo of a Linfield Wildcats button, provided by a Linfield grad who attended Linfield 1966-1970.
Elmer C. Fricke served as Linfield Athletic Ticket manager before Joan Rutschman took over the duties. Of Mr. Fricke, Mrs. Rutschman said, he was “very helpful, very good.” And, there's another Linfield Athletics connection with the Fricke family. For many years, Print Northwest of McMinnville has printed the award-winning Linfield football media guide. Owner/operator of the firm is Mr. Fricke’s son, Eric Fricke, Linfield Class of 1980.
Published Feb.22, 2007, McMinnville News-Register
1920-2007
Services for Elmer C. Fricke of McMinnville will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at McMinnville First Baptist Church. The Rev. Kent Harrop will officiate.
Private family interment will be conducted at the Evergreen Memorial Park mausoleum. Arrangements are under the direction of Macy & Son Funeral Directors, which will be open for visitation from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 22-23.
Mr. Fricke died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, at the Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville. He was 86.
Born Nov. 4, 1920, in Chicago, he was the son of Charles Henry and Anna (Deitrich Fricke. He worked as a draftsman for the City of Chicago while attending the Illinois Institute of Technology. He served as a medic in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He came to McMinnville to attend Linfield College, graduating with a degree in mathematics in 1953. He received his master's degree from the University of Michigan the following year.
He married Myrtle Miller on Oct. 20, 1956, in Berlin, Ohio. They came to Oregon so he could work on his doctorate at Oregon State University.
He taught at Linfield for 28 years, serving as a professor of mathematics and computer science. He established Linfield's computer science program. He also owned and managed the Walnut City Mobile Lodge.
Mr. Fricke was a co-founder of Gallery Theater. He served on the McMinnville School Board and the Yamhill Education Service District Board. He was a member of the McMinnville Kiwanis Club and McMinnville First Baptist Church.
At the church, he served as treasurer and sang in the choir. He also played a leadership role in Pioneer Pantry, a lunch program for seniors.
