Educator, mentor, inspiration to generations

Don F. Fruechte, a cherished Claremont High School theater teacher for 31 years, died August 4, on his 91st birthday, in his Upland home. He was surrounded by dear friends and Brandi, the last of a long line of surviving Chihuahuas. “His dedication to his students and his craft shaped countless lives, imparting not only the skills of stagecraft and performance, but also a deep-seated confidence and belief in their potential,” his friends shared.

Mr. Fruechte, known to many of his students simply as “sir,” was born to Ernest and Carolyn Fruechte on August 4, 1933, in Dallas, Texas. He was raised in Wichita Falls, Texas by his father, a criminal attorney, and his mother, a homemaker who devoted her life to her only son.

After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theater and costuming from the University of Houston, Don began his teaching career at Oakland High School in Roseburg, Oregon. Two years later, he was offered positions at two Southern California schools: Santa Barbara High School and Claremont High.

During his 31 years at Claremont High, he founded the CHS Theatre Department and chartered Thespian Troupe 2129. Initially teaching at the original CHS campus, he moved his program to a classroom at the current campus, and ultimately to a theater built on campus in the early 1970s. After a $3 million renovation in 2013, it named the Don F. Fruechte Theatre for the Performing Arts. While at CHS, he also taught English and culinary arts, supervising an on-campus student-run restaurant called the Hideaway Cafe. Always eager to take on challenges, he directed “The Night of the Iguana,” “Anne of a Thousand Days,” “Death of a Salesman,” “My Fair Lady,” “Mame,” and many more. His final production was “Hello, Dolly!” in 1994.

After retirement, he worked full time at The Theatre Company, a costume rental house in Upland, designing and building costumes for productions both locally and across the country.

He was known for his high standards, collaborating with colleagues in CHS’s Visual and Performing Arts Department and empowering his students to create exceptional sets, lights, costumes, and live instrumental and vocal performances.

He made many lifelong friends while at CHS, including colleagues and alumni, who remained in touch throughout his life. “For thousands of alumni, Mr. Fruechte was the most influential person of their teenage years, and he could be heard calling most of them by their last names,” his family said. “Many of his students went on to successful careers in TV, film, Broadway and education, while others have carried his life lessons and work ethic into a wide diversity of professions. His legacy will endure through the confidence and success of those he taught, making him an inspiration and beloved mentor.”

“Don didn’t just teach us how to act or stage a play, he instilled in us the essence of professionalism, the importance of punctuality, and the spirit of teamwork,” recalled Krista Carson Elhai, CHS and Thespian Troupe 2129 alumna, CHS theatre director 1994-2021, and current president of the Educational Theatre Association board. “His lessons extended far beyond the stage, guiding us to work towards common goals with dedication and integrity. These skills have become the foundation of our personal and professional lives. He built more than just a theater department; he crafted a community that has remained connected through the decades, united by the shared experiences and the enduring impact of his mentorship. His belief in our potential made us feel invincible, empowering us to reach beyond our limits and achieve more than we ever thought possible.”

“The legacy of a great educator can be measured in many ways, and in the case of Don F. Fruechte, none could be more profound than the sheer number of alumni who credit him with changing their lives,” said Bob Fass, CHS alumnus, Thespian Troupe 2129 member, and president of the Claremont Unified School District’s Board of Education. “He was a master at empowering students to push themselves, to take chances, and to search within to find their true talents and to share them with the world. His dry wit and quick tongue were often in full force, and those fortunate enough to be the subject of his banter craved more. The talent, creativity, and passion that was generated under Mr. Fruechte’s leadership will continue to shape our industry, our community, and our lives for many years to come. I will miss him greatly, but he will always be with us as we share the gift of his influence and pride.”

“Alisa and I have been so privileged to be a part of his personal life these oh so many years until the end,” said George Atkinson, CHS alumnus and member of Thespian Troupe 2129, and Mr. Fruechte’s caregiver. “He was my best friend that I could rely on for advice and a shoulder when needed. His mold didn’t break at birth, it dramatically exploded!”

Don’s friends are grateful to George and Alisa Atkinson’s loving dedication to care during the last few years.

A service in his honor was held on August 13.

Donations in his honor can be made to the Claremont High School Theatre Legacy Fund, an endowment in the form of a donor advised fund managed through the California Community Foundation, at calfund.org/chstheatre. All donations support the Claremont High School theater program.