Former CEO of Inland Northwest Health Services found dead in lake

Tom Fritz, former CEO of Spokane, Wash.-based Inland Northwest Health Services, died Monday while fishing on LakeCoeur d'Alene, a natural lake in the Idaho Panhandle, according to The Spokesman-Review.

Kootenai County sheriff's deputies found Mr. Fritz, 63, after two people saw his unoccupied fishing boat going around in circles at the southern end of the lakeMonday afternoon and towed it to MowryState Park, according to the report. Mr. Fritz's friends told The Spokesman-Review that he owned two homes on the lake and often fished there.

The news of Mr. Fritz's death comes just six months after he retired from INHS, which he led for more than 16 years.

During his tenure as CEO, Mr. Fritz lead the organization to "unprecedented growth and success," according to an INHS statement. Under Mr. Fritz's leadership, the nonprofit organization extended its reach and customer base and has become one of the largest employers in Spokane County with more than 1000 employees, the statement reads. Financially, INHS achieved gross revenues of more than $200 million.

"Tom will be remembered for his years of service and commitment to the collaborative mission of INHS and the greater Spokane region," Elaine Couture, CEO of INHS, said in the statement. "Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

Ron Wells, INHS board chairman added, "Tom always led with a strong conviction of doing what is right for the customer, the patient and the community. His commitment to quality, collaboration and innovation will be greatly missed."

Prior to joining INHS, Mr. Fritz was superintendent of Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Wash. He also was a state-licensed family and marriage therapist.

In another incident this month, the body of John Heye, former executive at Portland-based MaineHealth, was found by anglers in Barker Pond in southern Oxford County, Maine.

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