Dr. James H. Fribourgh Ph.D.

James H. Fribourgh, 87 of Little Rock died March 6, 2014. He was born June 10, 1926 in Sioux City, Iowa, son of Gunder and Edith Fribourgh. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of fifty years Cairdenia M. Fribourgh; his brother, Gunder Fribourgh of Des Moines, Iowa; and sister, Joan, and his brother-in-law Judson Cole of Madison, South Dakota. He is survived by his daughters: Abbie and her husband, John Palmer of Bryant, Arkansas; Becky and her husband, Mike Casanova of Little Rock; Cindy and her husband, Richard Schreiber of Little Rock; Jim's grandchildren, Sarah Palmer, Christin Casanova, Matthew Casanova, J.J. Schreiber and Ben Schreiber. Jim graduated from East High School (Sioux City, Iowa) in 1944 and attended Morningside College (Sioux City, Iowa) from 1944 to 1947. In 1949, he received his B.A. and M.S. from the University of Iowa and his Ph.D. from the same institution in 1957. He was awarded an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Morningside College in 1989 for his contributions to higher education. He began his teaching career at Little Rock Junior College in 1949, and remained with the school for 45 years through its transitions to Little Rock University and University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Positions he held are Instructor advancing to Professor of Biology (1949-1960); Chair, Division of Life Sciences (1960-1969); Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (1969-1984); Interim Chancellor (1972-1973); Interim Chancellor (1982); and Distinguished Professor of Biology (1984-1994). When he retired as Provost to return to teaching, then Governor Clinton proclaimed May 11, 1984 Jim Fribourgh Day in Arkansas. The day was capped by the production of The Fribourgh Follies by friends and colleagues, a spoof of Jim, administrators in general, and campus life. Proceeds were used to establish an endowed Fribourgh Scholarship Fund for part-time students. In 1994, when Jim retired from the University, another Fribourgh Follies was produced providing further support for the scholarship. Also, on his retirement, the Board of Trustees renamed the Natural Sciences Building Fribourgh Hall in his honor. In 1992, Jim and his late wife, Cairdenia, instituted an endowed scholarship for non-traditional students at Morningside College, and in 1993, they founded a healthcare scholarship at St. Vincent Infirmary. In 2005, the College of Science and Mathematics established the James H. Fribourgh Endowed Biology Scholarship to commemorate his service to the College and the University. Dr. Fribourgh was the author or co-author of 35 publications ranging from academic freedom and tenure to the use of terramycin for the treatment of fish diseases. He was elected a Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1966); American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists (1980); College of Preceptors (1985); the Arkansas Museum of Science and History (1987); and Certified Fisheries Scientist by the American Fisheries Society (1968). Jim served as President of the Arkansas Academy of Science (1966); Arkansas Conference of American Association of University Professors (1967); and the Arkansas Deans Association (1981). He was elected to membership in the Sigma Xi National Scientific Research Society and served as President of the Central Arkansas Chapter in 1969. Jim was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and served as UALR Chapter sponsor at various times. He is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in Science and Engineering and similar publications. Jim was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Little Rock (Paul Harris Fellow 1990). In 1995, the Club named its annual UALR scholarship the James H. Fribourgh Rotary Club 99 Scholarship. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. From 1966 to 1969, he served on the Vestry of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. He chaired the Parapet Committee of the Central Arkansas Library System in 1995 which prepared the ballot for patrons to elect authors whose names are on the parapet of the Main Library. He played basketball and football in high school and at Morningside College and, in summers, played baseball for the Blue Bunny Super Rabbits and later, took up golf. His interest in sports remained throughout his lifetime although he was quick to acknowledge that his talent fell far below the level of his enthusiasm – he enjoyed the companionship. His other interests included spending quality leisure time with his family; reading, especially historical novels; and family genealogy. Funeral will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 10, 2014 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th Street in Little Rock with the Rev. Canon Christoph Keller, Th.D. as celebrant and the Rev. Cindy Fribourgh as preacher. Burial will follow at Mount Holly Cemetery. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 9th at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock (501) 661-9111. Pallbearers are his grandchildren: Christin Casanova, Matthew Casanova, Ben Schreiber, J.J. Schreiber and Sarah Palmer. Memorials may be made to The Fribourgh Scholarship, c/o UALR, Office of Development, 2801 S. University, Little Rock, AR 72204 or to a favorite charity. To sign Dr. Fribourgh's online guest book please visit www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.