Christian Frederick Midelfort Jr.

1943 - 2025

Christian Frederick Midelfort Jr. passed away in the early morning of August 3rd, 2025, from heart attack and stroke. He died peacefully, with his loving wife and son by his side.

Fred was born on July 29, 1943, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to the second-generation Norwegian parents and grew up in La Crosse with two older brothers - Sig and Sven - and two younger sisters - Chris and Berit.

Fred attended La Crosse Central High School and was an avid golfer, winning a high school state championship. A socially active high schooler, he ran for class president and was a member of a drama group, performing in a musical where he discovered his voice which he continued to explore later on in the Yale Glee Club.

A fantastic chemistry teacher at La Crosse Central HS led Fred to a chemistry major at Yale University as well as graduate studies at Marquette University. In his post-doctorate work, he pursued enzyme mechanism studies at the Institute for Cancer Research in Philadelphia under the Nobel Laureate Irwin A. Rose, Ph.D. He was involved in the development of a protease inhibitor AIDS drug under the leadership of Dr. Anthony Fauci at the National Cancer Institute.

Science was not just Fred's world of wonder, but also his world of love, meeting his wife of 47 years – Koko, also a research scientist – during his post doctorate work in Philadelphia. They birthed two children - Aska and Jan.

Music was his life, as were books and political affairs. He was also a physical fitness fanatic, regularly going to gym and walking. Fred ironically collapsed while on a 2 mile walk at a scenic neighborhood rail trail on a beautiful day with his wife.