SPOKANE — Tom Fritz, former CEO of Inland Northwest Health Services, died early last week while fishing on Lake Coeur d’Alene, just six months after he retired from the organization he led for 16 years.
His death shocked and saddened the Spokane business community.
“It’s just tragic,” said Rich Hadley, former president and CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated, who worked closely with Fritz for years.
Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies found Fritz, 63, after two people saw his unoccupied fishing boat going around in circles at the southern end of Lake Coeur d’Alene just after 1 p.m. Monday and towed it to Mowry State Park. His body was found tangled in downrigger lines about 35 feet under the surface, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Fritz leaves behind a wife, an adult son and his mother.
Lt. Stu Miller of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into Fritz’s death is ongoing.
