Minneapolis, Minnesota
Fen, Sing-Nan of Minneapolis, died May 26, 2011. He was born in Su- chou, China 1916. He received his B.A. from Central Political University in China and came to the United States in 1945 to study at the University of Chicago and Columbia University, Teacher's College, where he received his Ph.D. in 1949. His first teaching job was at Howard University in Washington D.C. and he retired from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He loved his family, children, dancing, reading, and continued swimming daily at the Midtown YWCA until he was 94. His family greatly misses him; Sylvia, his four children: David, Allan, Ruth and Mike, as well as his 8 grandchildren. Memorial Service 5 PM Saturday, June 25, 2011 First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Avenue South, Mpls, MN 55407. Memorials preferred to Nebraskans for Peace, 941 O Street, Suite 1026, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. Historic Thomson-Dougherty 612/871-4407
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
In addition to contacting us individually, it would be fantastic if you could share your memories here for all to see.
Here is the link to the youtube video that Ruth put together : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp596nKIlnQ
June 07, 2013
Hi, I'm Ruth Fen, Sing-Nan's daughter and I've been hearing from colleagues and friends of my father's since his death. He lived with me and my two children the last 5 years of his life. I have some nice scanned images of him, as well as of him and John Dewey. Please contact me and I can send them to you and with information about him that was presented at his memorial service. There is a slide show of him on youtube (Sing-Nan Fen) and my email is It's always nice to hear of him from people...
June 05, 2013
I stumbled on Mr Fen's obituary while I was writing some things about my parents' life on Long Island NY before I was two years old. My father, Lloyd Suttell also attended Columbia U Teachers College and was also an avid fan of John Dewey. Mr Fen visited our home in Long Island and I have an old black and white photograph of him with my mother Ruth and my older sisters Margery and Susan enjoying the day at Jones Beach. I was too young to remember Mr Fen but my sisters have told stories about...
Katharine Suttell
June 04, 2013 | Atlanta, GA
We think fondly of Dr. Fen and his famiy. Best wishes and love to all, especally to David who was so close to my father.
George Manasse
George Manasse
September 26, 2012 | Durham NC
I am sorry to learn of Mr. Fen passing on, he was a quiet and dear man. As one of David's best friends I had the honor and priveledge to spend time with the Fen's Sing-Nan was a very quite person and always seemed to be to himself when I would visit. I can remember him sitting on the summer porch reading or watching Johnny Carson. Since David and I were up to no good I usually breezed through the house and said hello and we were off without a challenge. Mr. Fen never gave me the grill...
Raymond Aguirre
June 24, 2011 | Lincoln, NE
Remembered By
David Fen
June 22, 2011 | Seattle, WA