Frederick Seybold — “Fritz" to those that knew him—passed away peacefully at home on October 9, 2025. He was 90 years old. Fritz grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and, aside from a brief stint in the army, spent his entire life there. The only son of Fred and Marjorie Seybold, he was born during the Great Depression in 1935. He graduated from West High School in 1953 and received his B.S. from UW-Madison in 1957. Fritz married Ann Gerretson in 1958 just after being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Berlin Crisis. He served two years in the Army, then two more in Wisconsin’s National Guard.
Fritz helped found F.E. Seybold, Inc., a floor covering store on the west side of Madison, with his father in 1957. He worked there for 43 years until his retirement in 2000. During his career he was active in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and was instrumental to the Madison chapter in its formative years. In fact, NARI created a lifetime achievement award, “The Fritz,” which is the highest honor awarded to a member for outstanding local community involvement.
Fritz was a talented woodworker, with a particular passion for woodcarving beginning in 1985. He could carve anything from realistic birds to fish to human busts, but he most enjoyed carving caricatures of people and animals. Until his last summer, he enthusiastically attended woodcarving seminars and classes. Over the years, he helped many aspiring woodcarvers become better at their craft through teaching classes and shared time together. He delighted in carving his “one-minute owls” for any kids that crossed his path.
Fritz enjoyed all things fishing-related, including fly tying and rod building, musky fishing in northern Wisconsin, perch fishing on Lake Mendota, and fly fishing most anywhere. His favorite fishing, however, took place on the trout streams of southwestern Wisconsin, particularly Black Earth Creek, during a good hatch. He loved taking kids fishing, helping them catch fish and untangle lines, always with a smile and words of encouragement. He spent many years volunteering with local fishing organizations to protect and preserve Wisconsin streams.
Fritz was a charter member of the Madison West Lions Club when it began in 1964. He was committed to their causes and was an avid fundraiser on their behalf, even well into his 80s. He was especially supportive of the Wisconsin Lions Camp, a camp for youth and adults with disabilities. For decades, he was responsible for the gumball machines that were found in the foyers of many local businesses. Fritz received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the club’s highest form of recognition, for his humanitarianism and exemplary service to his club and community.
Fritz loved a good practical joke and was just as happy to be the victim of the joke as he was to be the instigator of it. If it put a smile on someone’s face, he was pleased to be part of it. He had a lifelong ability to make people laugh. In his later years, when someone greeted him by saying they were glad to see him, he would reply, “Better to be seen than viewed!” acknowledging his advancing age.
Fritz was preceded in death by his wife, Ann, to whom he was married for almost 65 years until her passing in 2023. He is survived by his children, Susan (Chris) Kealy of Mount Horeb, WI, Bill (Jocelyn Aycrigg) of Genesee, ID, and Laura of Madison. He is also survived by grandsons Jackson and Will Kealy, both of Madison.
A memorial service for Fritz will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 South Segoe Road in Madison on Saturday, November 15, 2025. Visitation with the family will begin at 12:30 pm, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm.
The service will be livestreamed; please follow this link: Live Stream
In lieu of flowers, Fritz’s family asks that you make donations to Capital Area Woodcarvers (CACW.ClubExpress.com), Wisconsin Lions Camp (WisconsinLionsCamp.com), Badger Fly Fishers (BadgerFlyFishers.org), or a charity of your choice.
Please share your memories of Fritz by posting here in his guestbook.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434