Dr. Frederic “Fritz” Aroyce Berry, age 87, died on September 7, 2022. Born on April 29, 1935. He was the second child of Admiral Frederic Aroyce Berry and Suzanne Ward Berry.
Fritz grew up in Annapolis, Md. with his three siblings, Suzanne, Tom and India. He came to UVA as an undergraduate in 1952 and graduated from UVA Medical School in 1959. During his time at UVA, he was a dual Athlete as a member of UVA’s Varsity Lacrosse and Swim Team. He lived on The Lawn, was a member of the Raven Society and a founding member of the Virginia Gentlemen A Cappella Group.
After he completed his residency in Pediatrics, he served as a Lieutenant at the Navy Hospital in Taiwan as a pediatrician from 1962-1964. This is where he and his wife Suzanne, first found their passion for world travel and the Orient.
He then returned to UVA Hospital, completed his 2nd residency in Anesthesia and became one of the earliest leaders in the field of Pediatric Anesthesiology. As one of his colleagues wrote, “Frederic A Berry was a giant from our UVA Department in the field of Pediatric Anesthesiology. He is considered to be one of the field’s earliest leaders and was a principal force shaping the specialty. He wrote two renowned textbooks on pediatric anesthesiology and shared his profound experience and knowledge by lecturing around the globe. He was beloved by his colleagues at the University of Virginia where he practiced for over 40 years and taught over 500 resident physicians. He is remembered by his contemporaries as a remarkable speaker and a gifted teacher who could get to the heart of the matter instantaneously. Fritz is remembered by all as a kindhearted and extraordinary clinician who was a fierce advocate for children.”
He loved traveling the world with his wife, Suzanne and together covered every continent for work as a teacher/lecturer, and for pleasure. When not traveling he enjoyed spending time taking in the view from one of their 3 favorite places: their Mountain top home in Charlottesville, “the Hill”, their place in Deltaville,Va. “Bay Berry”, or at St. John, USVI. He loved all things water and passed that passion on to his sons, teaching them to Fish, swim, boat, sail and ski. He was a proud grandfather and was frequently sighted cheering loudly on the sidelines of their games or enthusiastically enjoying one of their school performances.
He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, their sons, Fritz Berry and wife Lori and their three children, Fritz, Sheridan and Morgan, Son Hayden and his wife Cathy, and Son Alex. He is also survived by his three siblings: Suzanne Hamilton, Tom Berry and India Walsh, and his beloved nieces, nephews and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Dr. Berry to the Frederick A. Berry, MD Professorship in Pediatric Anesthesiology to:
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 37963
Boone, IA 50037
Memo: Berry Professorship #14764
Or on-line via the following link https://www.givecampus.com/q3kyx3 . Search by “Berry” in the designation line.
