Omar Wallace Fricke
Omar Wallace Fricke died of natural causes at his family’s home on December 14, 2022.
Omar was born to Omar Christopher William and Elizabeth Jane Wallace Fricke in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. He spent his early years on the family ranch on the north bank of the Snake River in King Hill. The family moved to Gooding in 1943, where he graduated from Gooding High School in 1952. Omar earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Zoology at the College of Idaho. While in college, Omar met his wife, Beverly Huffman. They married in 1959 and moved to Meridian where they lived and raised their daughter, Tamara.
Although he described himself as a practicing ne’er do well, Omar held simultaneous professional positions as a teacher, pilot, and ski patroller, distinguishing himself in each. He began his teaching career at Notus High School and continued at Meridian High School until he retired in 1980. During his 20 years at Meridian High School, Omar taught math and aeronautics and was the ski club advisor. A charismatic and dedicated teacher, Omar was named Idaho Outstanding Aerospace Science Educator in 1973.
As a photographer in the Air National Guard, Omar developed an interest in aviation. He became a flight instructor and spent summers as a lead plane pilot for the Bureau of Land Management’s Office of Fire and Aviation out of NIFC. In 1980, he retired from teaching to work full-time as a pilot for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Subsequently, Omar was a corporate pilot for West One Bank, then a contract pilot for several local corporations.
Most notably, Omar was a 65-year veteran of the National Ski Patrol at Bogus Basin Mountain Resort, beginning in 1959. Omar joined the Pro Patrol in the 1980s and continued through the beginning of the 2019 season. Bogus Basin was his home away from home and the Bogus Basin crew was his family.
Omar leaves behind his daughter, Tamara Ansotegui, and her husband, Dan Ansotegu; his grandchildren, Naomi and Gavriel Shapiro; Dan’s children, Ellie and Nick Ansotegui; cousins Kristina Robb, Tracy Scheets, LynnDee Alexander, their partners and children; and nephew, Bill Smidt.
Special thanks to the Saint Luke’s Hospice team and Family Resource Home Care aides and staff, who provided gentle expertise and remarkable kindness to Omar and his family during his time in home hospice. We are grateful to Omar’s friend and primary care provider, Kevin Hudson, who always knew how to get Omar the right care at the right time no matter how much Omar resisted.
We hope you will consider a donation to the https://www.bbsp.org/donate in Omar’s name.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Basque Center, 601 W Grove St, Boise, ID, on Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 5:30 to 8:00.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.
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Jerry Culley says
December 22, 2022 at 6:42 pmOmar was my mentor and friend from day one joining the BBSP. I spent a year in the aid room ( Omar’s domain) due to an injury. I learned so much from him and discovered Boise State public radio classic channel. It calmed all in the aid room. He was a one in a million and will be missed. I try to uphold his standard as a national ski patrol member. Omar rest in peace and may the summers be warm and fragrant, the skies blue and clear and the powder deep in heaven. Until we meet again Prost.
Carol (Skinner) Christensen says
December 27, 2022 at 10:29 am“Mr. Fricke” was my sophomore geometry teacher over 50 years ago at Meridian High. To this day, I express a quiet thanks to him at times when I need to apply that math. He was so patient and so clear in the way he taught us the basics and life application of geometry. He was such a personable guy, even made an appearance at our 40th class reunion! It has been fun to hear about his devotion and influence with the Bogus Basin Ski Patrol, as well as his love and devotion for his wife over the years.. He has had a positive influence on so many in so many ways! He will be missed.
LynnDee Fader-Alexander says
December 28, 2022 at 2:25 pmUncle Butch,
You were always a close member of our family and I loved seeing you when we could. I hope dad was there waiting for you and Aunt Bev. So sorry I didn’t get to see you when we were passing through this summer. I wish we’re given more time. Say hello to my parents and Mitch for me.
My thoughts are with our family in Boise. You will be missed!
Hugs,
LynnDee
Richard Stauber says
December 28, 2022 at 2:55 pmOmar Fricke Sun Valley Adventure
I was the Forest Service Ranger in Ketchum 1961-1965. My responsibilities include Avalanche Control for Sun Valley, Bald Mountain.
Omar applied to be interviewed for the Snow Ranger Assignment. Omar and his wife came to Ketchum for the interview in late winter of 1961? Or, 1962. His wife was expecting a baby so the daughter would know a closer date. Beverly and my wife Ruby spent the day together as Omar and I skied the mountain and discussed the position. It was near the end of the season. The Warm Spring ski run was closed. There was no chair lift so I had arranged for my wife to meet us at the bottom of Warm Springs in the late afternoon.
My judgement, as Ranger, was to ski Warm Spring Run. There was 15-18 inches of fresh heavy snow that was untracked. Inviting skiing. My snow Ranger assistant was with us at the time.
The upper 2/3rd of the run was Great Heavy Powder. Then it became Heavy, Wet and challenging.
We were just in sight of the parking lot when Omar fell. He landed on his back with one arm directly down hill straight above his head. He was in serious pain and didn’t want to move the arm. I had trained with the Ski Patrol and also had 2 years of training as an officer in the Army Medical Service Corp. This was in the days before good communications. We considered making as sled out of Skis. Omar agreed to let me reposition his arm down to his side. I stuck my fist in his arm pit and moved his arm down to the side of his body. We tied it in that position. He felt much better and wanted to stand up. He then walked slowly to the parking lot and a trip to the Sun Valley Hospital. The shoulder apparently popped back in place. I am un aware of issues that may have occurred later. He did choose to stay in Boise.
Years later I was Recreation Staff Office for the Boise National Forest and Ski Patrol Volunteer.
Following some career moves I returned to Boise and was a Prime Timer Ski Group leaded for years. Omar was a great asset to Bogus Basin and the Ski Patrol. I always appreciated contacts with Omar.
Richard (Dick) Stauber
dstauber@aol.com
5301 Warm Spring Ave.
Apt F 106
Boise, Idaho 83716
Bill Cope says
December 29, 2022 at 4:34 pmAm sad to hear of Mr. Fricke’s passing. He got me through geometry 59 years ago and drove the bus that got me home every afternoon. At out 50th reunion (Class of ’65), I sat with him as we ate dinner and it brought back memories of how much respect I had for the man. Sort of wish we could have been friends when I became an adult. I suspect he would have been a great one.
Nancy Link says
December 30, 2022 at 10:16 amMr. Fricke was a memorable teacher. His kindness, sense of humor, and patience helped many students through both Geometry and their day. My condolences to his family
We hope you will consider a donation to the https://www.bbsp.org/donate in Omar's name.