Fredrick L. "Fritz" Thurstone

THURSTONE, FREDRICK L. "FRITZ", Professor Fredrick L. "Fritz" Thurstone, age 73, of Kissimmee, died on March 17, 2005, losing his battle with cancer. Born in Chicago, IL to Louis Leon and Thelma Gwinn Thurstone on February 12, 1932. He had been a resident of North Carolina for many years before moving to Kissimmee. He received his B.S. degree in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1953 and the M.S. and Ph.D degrees both in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC in 1957 and 1961 respectively. He joined the faculty of the Electrical Engineering Department of North Carolina State University in 1956 where he served as Instructor and Assistant Professor until 1962. From 1962 until 1967, he was Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC. Fritz was a well-respected and loved Professor in Biomedical Engineering who came to Duke University in 1967 as one of the founding members of the Department. He was one of the pioneers of diagnostic ultrasound and the "Father" of that research activity at Duke. He came from Bowman Gray School of Medicine to Duke and pioneered ultrasound holography. He held the rank of Professor in the departments of Biomedical Engineering and Radiology. He was Director of Graduate Studies in Biomedical Engineering and was responsible for 12 students to receive their Ph.D degree. Professor Thurstone was a member of the American Institute of Ultrasonics in Medicine, and in 1983 was the recipient of the Joseph H. Homes Pioneer Award for his contributions to the growth and development of diagnostics ultrasound. He was also an active member of a number of other professional societies including the Biomedical Engineering Society, the Institutes of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Acoustical Society of America, the Optical Society of America, Sigma Xi and Eta Kappa Nu. In 1997, after making many contributions to Duke University and his profession, the Duke University Board of Trustees voted to honor him with the title "Professor Emeritus". Professor Thurstone is predeceased by his son, Eric. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Arlene; his daughter, Elizabeth and son, Conrad; two grandsons, Robert and Christopher, all of Durham, NC; and his brother, Robert of Huntsville, AL. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Rapid City, MI. GRISSOM FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, Kissimmee in charge of arrangements. 407-847-3131.