John Frederic Post

1936 - 2020

John Frederic Post

Nashville - John Frederic Post, 83, of Nashville, Tennessee, died Monday, January 6, 2020, of complications from Alzheimer's disease at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville.

Dr. Post was an emeritus professor of philosophy who taught at Vanderbilt University for more than 35 years before retiring in 2001.

He was born August 26, 1936, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Gaines Post and Katherine Rike Post.

Post graduated from Harvard University (B.A. 1958, magna cum laude). He served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1958 and subsequently pursued graduate studies in philosophy at University of Wisconsin Madison (M.A. 1959) and University of California Berkeley (PhD 1968).

He married Patricia Anne Trueblood on Dec. 23, 1966.

Outside his professional life as a writer and teacher of philosophy, John Post vigorously

engaged with the natural world as a climber and lover of wilderness. He was a devoted husband and father who shared his gift of wonder and outdoor adventures with family and friends.

Post was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Jean Bowers Post.

He is survived by his wife; sons John Gavin Post of Nashville and David Gaines Post (Fiona) of New South Wales, Australia; brother Gaines Post, Jr. of Santa Barbara, Ca; brother-in-law Michael C. Trueblood, MD (Mary) of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; nieces Katherine Post Spitser (Andrew) of Los Angeles, Ca., and Emily Trueblood Gardner of Kirkwood, Mo.; nephews Daniel L. Post of New York City, and Andrew C. Trueblood, MD (Amy) of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; and step-grandsons Steven Hermann, Peter Hermann, and David Hermann of New South Wales, Australia.

The family is grateful to the staff at Vanderbilt Home Care Services, Senior Helpers of Nashville, and Home Instead Senior Care, who provided in-home services for Dr. Post prior to his death.

A Celebration to honor his life is pending at this time. Please visit www.westharpethFH.com for updates on the venue location and date.