Fritz H.H. Brunssen

Fritz H.H. Brunssen, 75, passed away on October 20, 2021, at Transitions Hospice, Raleigh, NC. He was born in Strohausersiel, Rodenkirchen, Germany on February 6, 1946, to the late Fritz and Luise Brunssen. The family immigrated to Woonsocket, South Dakota in 1953, where he enjoyed the company of his horse, Brownie. Fritz was certified as an Eagle Scout. He obtained a BS in Civil Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and subsequently attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the US Army Corp of Engineers (1969-72).

Mr. Brunssen was awarded his MBA from the University of Alabama Birmingham. He established a consulting engineering firm that served the Triangle area for 34 years. He was an accomplished carpenter, personally designing and building the family home in Durham, NC.

Fritz was a longtime supporter of Holy Infant Catholic Church and enjoyed time spent with his fellow members of Iron Sharpens Iron, a theological study group at St. Thomas More in Chapel Hill, NC. He enjoyed scuba trips and membership in the PADI dive club.

Fritz was the loving husband of Susan Howell Brunssen with whom he shared nearly 50 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife, daughters Katrina “Katie” Morris (Sammy) of Raleigh, NC, and Regina “Gin” Burchfield (Eric) of Cary, NC, and grandchildren Carly, Hannah, Ethan, Alana, and Annelena, and his older brother, Hildebrand Brunssen of New Mexico.

His memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 1:00 pm at Holy Infant Catholic Church, 5000 Southpark Drive, Durham, NC 27713. Visitation with the family precedes the service from 12:15 – 12:45 pm. The service will be livestreamed: https://holyinfantchurch.org/sunday-mass-livestream.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Luise Brunssen Memorial Scholarship Fund at CARA, 330 E. Kansas City St., Rapid City, SD 57701 or to Holy Infant Catholic Church building fund.