American Pickers star Robbie Wolfe spotted in somber talk with friends outside his Iowa shop after Frank Fritz’s death

AMERICAN Pickers star Robbie Wolfe has been spotted working at his car shop just days after the sad passing of his beloved friend Frank Fritz.

Frank passed away on Monday, September 30, two years after suffering a debilitating stroke.

Robbie Wolfe at his car shop in Davenport, Iowa[/caption]

Robbie Wolfe appeared somber while at work[/caption]

Robbie Wolfe had his arms crossed as he spoke with customers and friends[/caption]

Frank Fritz passed away on September 30, two years after suffering a stroke[/caption]

The U.S. Sun has obtained exclusive first photos of Robbie, 57, at his car shop United Motors in Davenport, Iowa on Wednesday, October 2.

Robbie appeared somber as he spoke to customers and friends who stopped by the shop.

He spent the day working, as he was in and out of the store all day.

Robbie wore a gray t-shirt and blue jeans with a cap for the work day.

He appeared visibly downcast while speaking to others at the shop.

Robbie purchased the commercial building for $200,000 in March 2021.

The U.S. Sun also obtained exclusive first photos of Mike in Le Claire, Iowa, just miles away from Robbie’s store.

Mike kept busy most of the day by finishing up renovations on his Iowa vacation rental, Two Lanes Guesthouse.

Robbie Wolfe wore a gray t-shirt and blue jeans for the day of work[/caption]

Robbie Wolfe has been longtime friends with Frank Fritz[/caption]

Robbie Wolfe posted a sweet tribute to Frank Fritz on Instagram to announce his passing[/caption]

Robbie Wolfe revealed the two often went fishing[/caption]

ROBBIE’S GOODBYE

Robbie Wolfe announced the passing on Instagram.

He captioned a photo of the longtime friends, “It’s with a heavy heart I’m sad to say my friend Frank Fritz has passed away last night.

“You all knew him from TV. But I knew him from traveling, fishing and family. He was the godfather to my twin girls. His smile was contagious and his laughter will be missed.

“Most of all just time sitting in a fishing boat talking about life. I know you’re in a better place…

“Love you buddy hope you catch the big one until we see each other in heaven hold the boat steady.”

Robbie replaced Frank on American Pickers in 2020.

He took time off to recover from back surgery.

During his time off the show, he entered rehab for alcohol addiction in Iowa for 77 days.

Frank had a falling out with Mike, as he had not been asked to return to the show.

Frank previously told The U.S. Sun in a 2021 interview, “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.

“I think Mike wants to get his brother Robbie in there to replace me. I don’t know why he’s behaving like that towards me.”

Though he had been open about wanting to return to the series after his hiatus, Mike confirmed he was officially let go in 2021.

The two reconciled after Frank suffered the stroke.

FRANK’S HEALTH CRISIS

Frank suffered a stroke in his Iowa home in July 2022.

Frank was unable to recover from the stroke, as he was rushed to the hospital four times in 2022 and 2023, for pneumonia and a seizure.

The History Channel star’s close friends even filed for a conservatorship and guardianship for him in August 2022.

MidWestOne Bank acted as Frank’s conservator, as his friend Chris Davis served the his guardian.

“Because of his stroke, Mr. Fritz’s decision-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to care for his own safety or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care without which physical injury or illness may occur,” documents obtained by The U.S. Sun read.

“Mr. Fritz’s decision-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning his own financial affairs.

“Decisions must be made for Mr. Fritz’s care and placement while he continues to recover and receive treatment for his injuries.”

The appointment of a guardian and conservator was deemed “necessary” to “avoid immediate harm to him.”

FRANK’S RECOVERY

Frank was wheelchair-bound after suffering the stroke.

A ramp was installed outside of his Iowa farm home, though he wasn’t there for long before returning to rehabilitation.

“He can walk, but he’s always going to need the wheelchair because he can’t walk long distances,” a source previously told The U.S. Sun.

“Basically, you lose motion. He lost motion. A stroke can affect your left or your right side, it affected his right side.”

But the insider insisted Frank never lost his lovable personality, as the source said at the time, “He’s the same old Frank. He has a good attitude and a great sense of humor.

“We crack jokes all the time. You gotta make the best of the situation so he’s come to terms with all of that.

“His mind is right, he’s a happy guy and his sense of humor is there.”

Then in his final months, Frank’s condition got worse.

A source previously told The U.S. Sun, “He has been bad since the stroke and he had been getting worse.

“He was unable to move the right side of his body. He needed 24-hour care.

“There was no way he was getting better. He was in a home.”

In July 2024, conservator MidWestOne demanded Frank’s finances be transferred to them, as the star needed “skilled” and “long-term” nursing care at the time, court papers revealed.

Frank Fritz’s Conservatorship

Frank Fritz was placed under a conservatorship in August 2022, just weeks after he suffered a stroke.

Frank’s conservator is MidWestOne Bank and is in charge of his finances
The bank agreed to invest Frank’s money and collections to generate income
The guardian is his good friend Chris Davis
Chris is responsible for helping Frank manage his Crohn’s disease treatment, go to physical therapy, grocery shop, cook and more day-to-day tasks
The conservatorship also agreed to help replenish Frank’s Iowa antique store, Frank Fritz Finds
A wheel-chair ramp and more have been installed in his Iowa home under the conservatorship