Chester Fritz was born March 25, 1892, in Buxton, North Dakota. Chester Fritz worked in various occupations in North Dakota beginning at the age of 12. He attended the University of North Dakota from 1908-1910. He moved to Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington in 1914. He worked with the Fisher Flouring Mills Company in Seattle which led him to Hong Kong. He eventually oversaw American Metal's China operations which was later merged with the brokerage firm of Swan, Culbertson & Company. During these years, Fritz became a notable Shanghai sportsman in the expatriate circle, competing in paper chases and polo matches. Fritz left Hong Kong in 1950. In 1950, Fritz sent a check for $10,000 to UND and received an honorary degree in 1951. Between 1950 and 1969, he donated more than $2.25 million to UND. He married Vera Kachalina in 1954. They lived in Italy and Switzerland and spent his final years in Monte Carlo and Lausanne, Switzerland. Chester Fritz died on July 28, 1983. He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks. Vera Fritz died on November 2, 2005 in Monte Carlo.
From the description of Papers, 1930-1985. Addition III. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 754111464
