John Eugene Frederick

John Eugene Frederick, 69 of Carmel, passed away unexpectedly January 30, 2019.  He was born on November 22, 1949, son of the late John Frederick and June Edrington Frederick.

John was a graduate of Hanover College where he received his B. A. in physics.  He then graduated from the University of Colorado where he received his Ph.D. in astrogeophysics.

John was Professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Chicago from 1985 until retirement in 2015. Earlier in his career, he was a scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. He served as Chair of the Department of Geophysical Sciences and Associate Dean of the Physical Sciences Division and the College at the University of Chicago. He authored numerous scientific papers and one textbook and was a contributor to several international assessment reports in his field. Following his retirement, John continued his research and contributed articles to the scientific community.

At the University of Chicago, John received one of the nation’s oldest prizes for undergraduate teaching, the student-voted Quantrell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, and he was one of the first recipients of the Arthur L. Kelly Prize for Exceptional Faculty Service in the Physical Sciences Division. He also received an Alumni Achievement Award from Hanover College.

In addition to his lifelong passion for science, John was also fascinated with the world of investments and read many books on the subject.   John enjoyed traveling, visiting cities, touring museums and other sites of historical interest, dining out, going to the theater, and spending time with friends.  One neighbor describes John as “a wonderful man, special in so many ways, beloved by all of us. John was quiet, kind, thoughtful, pleasant, and polite - such a gentleman.  I loved his smile.  We will miss him.”

 John was a lifelong learner and an avid reader. In his childhood and teen years, he collected over 600 comic books, which he read cover-to-cover. At the end of his life he was reading books on economics, science in the ancient world, the Enlightenment, and other subjects that fascinated him.

John is survived by his longtime partner, novelist Genevieve (Gen) LaGreca.

In fulfilling John’s wishes, there will be a Celebration of Life gathering in Bussell Family Funerals.  The date and time will be announced soon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory, may be directed to the donor’s favorite charity.  

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.

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