Frank Fritz, who drove across the U.S. searching for antiques and collectibles to shop for and resell at the fact display “American Pickers,” has died.
He died Monday evening at a hospice facility in Davenport, Iowa, mentioned Annette Oberlander, an established good friend. She mentioned he used to be 60, now not 58, as some web sites and information assets mentioned.
She mentioned she used to be at his bedside, as was Mike Wolfe, who starred with Fritz for more than a decade at the Historical past Channel program. A mixture of “Antiques Roadshow” and “Hoarders,” the display follows the chums as they crisscross the rustic trying to find a work of historical past.
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“The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself,” Wolfe said an Instagram submit mourning the lack of his good friend.
“We are saddened to share that our friend and beloved member of The HISTORY Channel and American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, has passed away on September 30, 2024,” the “American Pickers” display wrote on its social media account.
The pair drove some 70,000 miles a hour trying to find items that captured their consideration.
“When you walk into an antique shop, chances are 95% of the time, that dealer is not buying all of that stuff,” Wolfe told CBS Sunday Morning in a 2020 interview.
Fritz labored for the display for over a decade, the display mentioned, describing him as a “bearded charmer” on a endless seek for antique bikes and motorcycles.
“Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed,” the submit mentioned.
Oberlander, his good friend, mentioned Fritz had a stroke in 2022 and not totally recovered. She mentioned a birthday celebration of past, which is able to come with a motorbike run, will most likely occur within the spring.
“He was a fierce friend,” Oberlander mentioned. “He leaves behind an incredible amount of friendships because that’s what was most important to him. A very large amount of friendships. Close friendships.”
