Edward B. Fry Ph.D.

Edward Fry Obituary

Fry, Edward B.
April 4, 1925 - Sept. 2, 2010
Edward B. Fry, PH.D died in his home in Laguna Beach on September 2, 2010 surrounded by his family. He was born April 4, 1925 in Los Angeles, CA, son of Eugene Bertram Fry and Francis Dreier Fry. He moved to Laguna Beach in 1937 and, at age 12, claimed that he was the first employee of Laguna Beach landmark The Pottery Shack for 15 cents an hour. He attended 7th grade in bare feet. At Laguna Beach High, he became editor of the school newspaper and graduated, along with 40 others, in 1942. His studies at Occidental College were interrupted by World War II, when he served in the Merchant Marine, primarily in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he graduated from Occidental College, married Carol Addison in 1950 and had two children, Shanti (1951) and Christopher (1953).
Ed became an expert in teach reading. He invented the Fry Readability Graph, which is a widely used tool for assessing the readability level of almost any type of reading material. He was on the faculty of Loyola University in LA and Rutgers University in NJ, where he became a full professor. During his twenty-two years at Rutgers, he was President of the National Reading Conference, the International Reading Association and the New Jersey Reading Association. He is a member of the Reading Teacher Hall of Fame.
Among his more than 31 books and more than 100 articles are "How to Teach Reading" developed for the Peace Corps, "The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists" with Jacqueline Kress, as well as a video series for Time-Life narrated by Dick Cavell and Bill Cosby. Ed founded Laguna Beach Educational Books and sold it to Teacher Created Materials.
One of his major interests has been education in Africa. In 1960, he taught at Makerere University in Uganda as a Fulbright Scholar and later developed the University Press at Africa University in Zimbabwe.
After retiring from Rutgers, Ed moved back to Laguna Beach with his second wife Cathy, whom he married in 1974. He was active in the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church, Village Laguna, the Laguna Canyon Conservancy and the Democratic Club among other groups. He especially loved being a docent in the Laguna Canyon and making frequent trips to Sante Fe, NM for skiing and art.
Ed is survived by his wife Cathy Fry, daughter Shanti Fry, son Christopher Fry, stepchildren Kim Rau and Kirk Boyce and grandchildren Julia Zinsmeyer, Victoria Zinsmeyer, Jeremy Fry, Jeff Rau, Jamie Rau, Dustin Boyce, Brandie Boyce and extended family grand daughter Elizabeth Linn.
A memorial service will be at 1 PM on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010 at the United Methodist Church, 21632 Wesley Drive, Laguna Beach, CA.
In lieu of flowers, please send a check made out to:
Edward Fry Endowed Graduate Fellowship Fund (Rutgers University), Africa University or Laguna Canyon Foundation to Cathy Fry, 245 Grandview Street, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Sep. 12, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Fry

6 Entries

Ed Fry, July 2009

William DuBay

October 7, 2010

While living in Costa Mesa and working on my book on readability, I was happy to learn Ed Fry was living nearby. I conferred with him several times. He and his wife were always most encouraging and generous with their time and resources. I especially enjoy the book he helped write, "The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists." It not only contains fun things for teachers and students to do in class, but also word lists and writing aids valuable for writers of all ages. Ed continued to write and publish until his death. Millions of readers and teachers throughout the world will continue to benefit from the work of this kind and inspiring man. We will miss him very much.

September 15, 2010

We never had the pleasure of meeting Ed but we know him a bit through Kirk and Sherry Boyce, our cousins. They treated my wife and I with one of Ed's masterful books for Christmas. We are very sorry for this loss to his family and friends but hope the memories of your relationships bring smiles and warmth to your hearts.
Toy (Bo) and Sandra Bowen - Roanoke, VA

Kathryn Wild

September 13, 2010

I now know the source of grand daughter Elizabeth Linn's professional specialization as Head of Literacy for various Southern California school districts and district high schools. Sending all blessings to the family, and sorry to have never met Edward. It sounds like Edward is one of the few who can actually claim to have made the world a better place.

Richard Eichberger

September 13, 2010

I had the pleasure of meeting Ed one time when he was visiting Kirk and Sherry in West Virginia. I found him to be a very kind and gentle Christian man who loved the Lord. May he find eternal rest with our Father.

Aviva Feller LaGasse

September 12, 2010

Shanti and Family,
I don't know if you'll remember me; we were classmates at H.P.H.S.
I want to express my condolences on the loss of your father (and husband and grandfather). May you be comforted by loving memories.
Sincerely, Aviva Feller LaGasse

Cynthia Peck

September 12, 2010

In 1977, when I was one of his doctoral advisees, I adopted a toddler from Korea. Pat Grant and others in the department held an arrival shower to honor him. As my Department Chair, Ed, of course, was invited. In a show of support, Ed attended as the only male, saying that he probably would have gone to others, but this was the first time he'd ever been invited!
Thirty years later, we reconnected in Laguna Beach, where my second child, also from Korea, was living. We brought my new grandson, Michael, to sit on Ed's knee as his uncle had 33 years earlier. "So, he grinned as he held Mikey and looked him over, "Is he reading yet?"

Ed's mark on the world of education has had worldwide reach. His mark on me and my ever-growing family has been quietly supportive and genuine. Blessings to you and all who love you as you loved them.
Cynthia Peck
Greensboro NC

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