James Henry "Fritz" Aichele Jr.

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J. Henry Stuhr Downtown Chapel

232 Calhoun Street

Charleston, South Carolina

James Aichele Obituary

James "Fritz" Henry Aichele, Jr. Canadys, SC - In the early morning of December 14, 2016, James Henry Aichele, Jr., known as "Fritz" to all who knew him, passed away peacefully in his home in Canadys, SC, at the age of 65. He was born April 21, 1951 in Charleston, SC to James Henry Aichele and the late Mary McKagen Aichele. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra Judson Aichele of New Jersey; their three daughters: Christina Aichele Lindsay (Charles IV) of Indian Land, SC, Sarah Aichele Cassidy (Shawn) of Summerville, SC, and Nicolette Lynn Aichele Talbert (Patrick) of Raleigh, NC. He was the proud Papa to Abgail and Sophia Cassidy; James and Forrest Lindsay; and Jacob Aichele Talbert. He is also survived by his devoted siblings: sister, Linda Momeier (Tommy) of North Augusta, SC, brother, Eric Aichele, sister, Laura Wilson (Dr. William Wilson), and sister, Jeanne Jamme (Paul), all of Mt. Pleasant; as well as his aunts and many cousins. Fritz, who was baptized at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in downtown Charleston, attended St. Andrews Elementary School and graduated from First Baptist Church School in downtown Charleston. He went on to receive his degree from his beloved Clemson University and was a proud Tiger fan until his death. Upon graduation, he became an original member of the South Carolina Coastal Council; he retired after 28 years of dedicated service after implementing the South Carolina Coastal Management Program. While working there, he met the daughter of a co-worker; more than 40 years later, he passed away with Sandy next to him. Fritz, a third generation farmer, worked alongside his father after retirement as a co-owner of Maple Ridge Farm, a 42-acre, U-Pick fruit farm in Canadys which they cultivated in the 1980s. Maple Ridge was one of the original vendors at the Charleston Farmer's Market at Marion Square and the Mt. Pleasant market. The markets were a family affair as his daughters, and then granddaughters and siblings helped as well. The father and son team not only grew your standard Southern fruits such as peaches, blueberries and strawberries, but they led pioneering efforts which introduced, once thought un-regional, blackberries, Asian Pears and oranges to the Lowcountry. Fritz's other passion was surfing, a trade he mastered as a young boy. Though he frequented Folly Beach, he preferred the nostalgia of the Isle of Palms, the waters in which he learned to surf while visiting his grandparent's beach house. For many years, before the crops came in, he took an annual, solo trip to Costa Rica, which offered more challenging waves for the seasoned surfer. But, it was back in the Lowcountry of the Carolinas where he always found the most joy; in the place he had always called, "home." In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Fritz's memory to the preservation of the Morris Island Light House at Save the Light, P.O. Box 106, Folly Beach, SC 29439-0106 or online at www.savethelight.org. Services are private. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for James Aichele

Sponsored by Sandy Aichele.

10 Entries

Ernest Cromer

December 8, 2024

Fritz was one of the kindest, gentlest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Dianna (Alsup) Gielstra

January 8, 2023

Fritz was my mentor at OCRM as I completed my masters degree. I gained so many valuable lessons from Fritz, but the most important being the value of keeping a daily journal of notes. He was an incredibly generous and kind person, and modeled the kind of professionalism that I always aspire to. I wish for continued peace and light for his family.

Annie Herring

January 8, 2017

I will miss you, friend. Love to Sandy and the girls.

Annie Herring

January 8, 2017

Fritz was a fine man and a good friend. I am heartbroken that he is gone. I worked with Fritz at the Coastal Council, later known as OCRM, for 6.5 years. I spoke with him every day during that time. He taught me how to read a quad sheet, the value of cultural resources, the potential of geographic information systems, and more. After I left OCRM, I only saw Fritz during the summers at the Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market. As the years rolled on, I introduced him to each of my children as they arrived, and he introduced me to his beautiful grandchildren as they arrived. He was a wonderful conversationalist and story-teller. My favorite tales were the tragic and unusual demise of the SeeWee Indian tribe and the remarkable story of the origins of the Barbara Morgan camellia. The farmers market just won't be the same. I will miss his bowl of Asian pears in ice water and the perfectly sweet, tart, sun-ripened blueberries. I will also miss seeing his squeezer peach, the only one customers were allowed to test for ripeness. This protected the rest of the peaches from bruising. He was a perfectionist with his fruit. I will miss him greatly on this earth, but I can't wait to see him in heaven where I know there are Orchard Orioles and honey bees and sun-kissed strawberries and a pristine beach for surfing.

odessa Feagin

December 19, 2016

Sending my condolences to the family. I met Fritz while workin ar SC Coastal Council. Fritz was a wonderful kind person.

Jenny

December 19, 2016

Very sweet man! Prayers for Sarah and the rest of the family!

Sherry Paul

December 18, 2016

I remember working with Fritz, his dad and Sandy for many years at Maple Ridge Farm and will always remember how good all of them were to me. I hope his family knows that I have always felt like a part of their family and will always love them and keep each one of them in my prayers through this difficult time in their life. If there is anything I can do, please let us know. Fritz will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Fritz.
Calvin and Sherry Paul

Marion Sullivan

December 18, 2016

As the food editor of Chrleston magazine, I had many opportunities to talk with Fritz about his marvelous fruit. He was a wonderful grower and a wonderful man. He has been and will be missed.

Dale Carpenter Smith

December 18, 2016

I will always remember Fritz's great sense of humor and kindness to all as we made our way through high school at FB. So sad for his family and friends and all who were fortunate enough to have known him.
Dale Carpenter Smith

Ernest Cromer

December 18, 2016

From Ernie and Lou Cromer, we are so sadden at the passing of Fritz. He was a dear friend and I will miss sitting along side him during the summer months at Maple Ridge Farm. Fritz was a very intelligent farmer who was always thinking of new ways to grow more peaches and berries on his trees and bushes. Rest in Peace Fritz and I look forward to seeing you again in Heaven.

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