Leonard P. Fries

Leonard P. Fries, 94, of Mt. Pleasant, SC died on Thursday, May 5, 2016. He was born on Monday, June 20, 1921 in Bala-Cynwyd, PA to the late Mrs. Gertrude Ryan Fries and the late Mr. John James Fries. Len was born in Bala-Cynwyd, PA, attended Lower Merion High School, Pace Institute for Accounting and Business Law, and St. Mary’s College of Moraga, CA. He trained in the United States Navy Aviation Cadet Program shortly after WWII started. Upon completing his training, he became a Marine officer pilot flight instructor at Bunker Hill Naval Air Station, near Kokomo, Indiana. At Bunker Hill, he met the love of his life, Arlean Kriehn, a Navy W.A.V.E. in Flight Supply. Arlean enlisted in the Navy shortly after the war started, foregoing lucrative defense work. They married immediately after the war in Pensacola, FL. Len transferred to El Centro, CA, flying multi-engine transport planes. Arlean joined him until he was released from the Marine Corps. They moved to suburban Philadelphia. Len was employed by Bowman Gum, Inc., then Lipton Tea Co. He joined M & R Laboratories (later, Ross Laboratories Division of Abbott Laboratories) as a salesman moving up the ladder to District Manager, Regional Manager, Director and Vice President of Professional Relations and Training. He initiated the Ross Formula System now in use in hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. They moved to Atlanta, GA where Len took over the Southeastern Region, fulfilling a long time desire to move to the south. After his retirement, he was recruited by doctors from the Mayo Clinic to become the Executive Director of the Irish and American Paediatric Society-which he was for almost 24 years. Len was awarded Honorary Doctorates from the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, Southern Perinatal Society and the Florida Pediatric Society. After moving to The Palms of Mount Pleasant, Len wrote short biographies of his neighbor residents. Len spent a good portion of his years helping others in many ways, never seeking accolades. He was often referred to as “The Mayor” of The Palms. His family will remember him as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, mentor and friend. He is survived his loving daughter, Carolyn Allen (Edwin), of Charleston, SC; sons, Leonard Paul Fries Jr. (Yvonne), of Watkinsville, GA, and Kenneth Victor Fries (Carol), of Silver Creek, GA; nine grandchildren, Dr. J. Alex Allen, Suzanne Allen (Andrew Bell), Emily Allen, Edwin Michael Allen, Jonathan P. Fries (Courtney), Kimberly Jones (Cody), Christopher S. Fries (Katie), Katie Turner (Cory), Colleen Fries; five great grandchildren, Sarah, Jack, James, Trevor and Taylor; and a multitude of loving friends and family. He was predeceased by his parents and his loving wife of 65 years, Arlean Kriehn Fries. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. A Graveside Service will be held at Beaufort National Cemetery on Monday, May 9, 2016 at 10:00 AM with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be made in his honor to Hospice Center of Charleston, 676 Wando Park Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com.