DR. ARTHUR L. Fricke

1934 - 2017

DR. ARTHUR L. FRICKE died on Friday, August 4, 2017. Dr. Fricke was born in Huntington, W.Va., on March 6, 1934, the son of Arthur H. Fricke and Anna A. Fricke. He is survived by his wife, Alice Saunders Fricke; three children and a son-in-law, Alice K. Fricke, Marsha Dow, Dr. Arthur C. Fricke and Allan Dow; two grandchildren, Allison Dow and James Dow; his sister, Shirley Dudley; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in law, nephews and nieces. Dr. Fricke was a graduate of Huntington High School where he played sports, was class president, president of the student body, and was awarded the citizenship medal and medals for top grades in math and science. Dr. Fricke earned his Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati (UC) and was a member of the UC baseball team. He earned his MS and PhD degrees in chemical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW). Dr. Fricke then entered industry and worked for seven years at Shell Development and Shell Chemical Company. While working at Shell, he became the youngest research supervisor the company had had to that time. He also taught special courses at the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Fricke left Shell to begin his teaching career at Virginia Tech (VPI) where he taught chemical engineering for seven years. Dr. Fricke then went to the University of Maine at Orono (UMO) as Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department. After revitalizing the department at UMO, he resigned as chairman but continued teaching there as a research professor. Dr. Fricke then went to the University of Florida (UF) as Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department there. After two years at UF, he resigned his chairmanship and continued as a faculty member doing both teaching and research until he retired from academic work in 2002. Dr. Fricke also worked in industry throughout his teaching career. At various times, he worked for Celanese, Dow, Polytron of Virginia and Proctor & Gamble. He also consulted extensively with the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DoE), other state and federal agencies, many industrial firms and served as an expert witness in many legal cases. Dr. Fricke finally completely retired from his consulting work in 2010. Dr. Fricke won many awards over the years. He was elected Member of the Huntington High School Hall of Fame, was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate of the University of Cincinnati and was made a member of the Francis Crowe Society of the University of Maine for his outstanding contributions to the University. He was twice recognized as best teacher at Virginia Tech and four times as best teacher at the University of Florida. He was recognized for his research at UF with four awards for achievements in research. Dr. Fricke was a lifelong active member of the Lutheran Church. He served on church councils and evangelism committees, taught Sunday school and participated in other church activities in California, Virginia and Florida. His faith was strong and he gave thanks to the Lord for many blessings. He looks forward to the resurrection and the life to come. Funeral arrangements have been made by Chapman's Mortuary. Visitation is to be at Chapman's Mortuary from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 11. Funeral service is to be at St. Paul Lutheran on Saturday, August 12, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Kevin L. Mackey officiating. Interment will follow at Woodmere Memorial Park. Memorial gifts may be made to the Dr. Arthur and Alice Fricke Family Foundation at Mountwest Community & Technical College (MCTC.edu), St. Paul Lutheran Church of Huntington (stpaulhuntington.org) or City Mission (huntingtoncitymission.org).