Fredrick Carl “Fritz” Seitz was born to Polly Ellen (Pool) Seitz and Edward Jesse Seitz on March 6, 1951, in Billings Montana. He was the youngest of the 6 Seitz children and the one who took after his father in car sales.
Fritz started working on cars early. Fritz got his first job at Owen’s Texaco in Billings when he was 16 years old and finally had his driver’s license. He worked there all the way through high school (Billings Central Catholic High School). After high school graduation in 1970, he took off to be a hippie (unlike his five older siblings who went to college), and Fritz was soon back in Billings looking for a job. He was hired at MacIntyre Motors.
A few years later, he moved to Fairfield, MT and worked for Mills Motor. After a few years he moved to Great Falls to work for Rice Motors. When they moved to 10th Ave South, took on “foreign” cars and he became “Employee #207” instead of “Fritz,” he went into business for himself.
On November 9, 1979, he started Fritz’s Auto Repair in a garage behind his house. These were his racing years and Fritz spent 3 years on the stock car track where he was High Point Champion in Great Falls, Helena, and Belgrade running a 1957 Ford and a Ford Fairlane.
Three moves later he had expanded into the former Swains Spring Service building at 523 2nd Ave S and had no plans of ever moving again. Fritz’s Auto Repair “Specializing in Cadillacs” grew due to Fritz’s honest dealings, love of Classic Cars, automotive training, national certifications, and professionalism. He imported select Cadillacs from across the country and sold many used luxury cars through his shop.
Fritz worked with quite a few clubs including The Cadillac and LaSalle Club, the Montana Pioneer and Classic Auto Club, the Altered Classics Car Club, and the Other Guys Car Club.
Fritz is survived by his sister, Gini Jones; and brothers Tony Seitz, Bob Seitz, and Dick Seitz. He shared time with many nieces, nephews and a whole fellowship of friends who loved Fritz while sharing his passion for cars.
To read the complete obituary and share condolences, visit the Schnider Funeral Home website.
