Adrian was born on Dec. 1, 1926, in Fayetteville to Henry Anton and Augusta (Hengst) Fritsch.

He was baptized on May 1, 1927, and confirmed on Sept. 1, 1940, by the Rev. Carl Baer at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fayetteville. He attended Hackebeil School and Fayetteville High School where he graduated as a valedictorian in 1944. He worked on a dairy farm with his family until 1956 when he began a career with the U.S. Government Soil & Water Conservation Service in Cuero. He was transferred to Columbus in 1960 and worked there until his retirement in 1994. He earned many awards for excellent work and safety during his career.

On Aug. 12, 1956, he married Virginia Bernshausen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fayetteville and they had three children, Derek, Dawnah and Rhanda.

Adrian became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus in 1962. He served the congregation there for many years as an usher and council member and worked with the team that approved the purchase of land and eventual design and construction of the present-day St. Paul property. He was also an active member and longtime vice-president of Hermann Sons Life Lodge #10 and a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE).

He was well known in the area for his expertise in soil erosion management and design of beautiful and successful pond construction. He loved being outdoors where he was a common sight in his khakis with a shovel in hand. He respected the earth and all of nature. He was a prolific gardener, spending his free time cultivating a yard full of both organic vegetables and beautiful flowers. His favorite hymn was “In the Garden”. The lyrics reflected his life, as he felt the closest to his Heavenly Father outside in nature. He often said his garden was his church.

Adrian was a hardworking man and an excellent provider for his family as well as an avid politic talker with very strong opinions. He was not known to be overly demonstrative with hugs or endearments, but he was steady in making sure his wife and family were safe and taken care of and in that way showered each of them with great love.

He spent the past few years at TruCare Living Center in Columbus where his life story ended at the great age of 99 years, 3 months, and 22 days.

Adrian was preceded in death by his grandparents, Anton and Anna (Hackebeil) Fritsch and Ernest and Elenora (Appelt) Hengst; parents, Henry and Augusta (Hengst) Fritsch; siblings, Gay Nell (Fritsch) Heinsohn and her husband, Kermit, Ralph Fritsch, and Ruth Ann (Fritsch) Marek; brothers-in-law, Henry Bernshausen, Robert Krenek and Jack Hill; and sisters-in-law, Gertrude (Bernshausen) Hill and Melba (Bernshausen) Reisner.

He is survived by his wife, Vi rginia Emma (Bernshausen) Fritsch; children, Derek Adrian Fritsch and wife, Jackie; Dawnah Rhae (Fritsch) Pina and husband, Adam; and Rhanda Rachel le (Fritsch) Lattimore and husband, Wil l iam; sisters- in-law, Violet (Bernshausen) Krenek, Mary Bernshausen, Stephine (Bernshausen) Zucha and Judy (Bernshausen) Catasein; and brothers- in- law, James Zucha, Jay Catasein, Anton Reisner and J.D. Marek.

His surviving grandchildren and their spouses are Alex and Hol ly Fritsch, Adrienne and Daniel Hamilton, Jessica and Todd Jackson, Joshua and Ashley Pina, Dustin and Ruth Lattimore, Andrew and Kyla Lattimore, and Kelly Lattimore. He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren, Mia Fritsch, Adrianna and James Hamilton, Harper Pina, Liam, Malachi, Eleanor, Nathaniel and Oliver Lattimore, Emlyn and Charlotte Lattimore, and Judah and Felicity Kanz; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus.

Funeral Service for Adrian will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Pastor Alan Kethan will be officiating.

Burial will be in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Columbus.

Pal lbearers are Alex Fritsch, Joshua Pina, Todd Jackson, Wi lliam Lattimore, Dustin Lattimore and Andrew Lattimore.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 267, Columbus, TX 78934 or to the charity of your choice.

Onl ine condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.