Frederick Doster Stocker

FREDERICK DOSTER STOCKER, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Ohio State University and former Executive Director of the National Tax Association, died on October 3, 2022, in Chula Vista, California, at the age of 95.

Born May 13, 1927, in New York City, Fritz was the son of Rev. Dr. Frederick Paul Stocker and Evelyn Doster Stocker. He was a 1944 graduate of the Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, PA, received his BA from Lehigh University in 1948, and his MA and PhD in Economics from Cornell University in 1950 and 1952, respectively.

On September 9, 1950, he was united in marriage to Janet Rice Mortimer, of Allentown, PA. Following Fritz's graduation from Cornell, he took a position as an economist with the Department of Agriculture in Washington DC. The couple resided in the Washington D.C. area until 1964 when they moved to Columbus, Ohio on Fritz's appointment as Professor of Economics to the faculty of The Ohio State University. They raised four children in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

Fritz's interest in teaching grew from his experience as a teaching assistant during his college years at Lehigh. As large numbers of GIs returned from the war and entered college on the GI Bill, the demand for teachers was great, and Fritz (at age 19) was asked by one of his professors if he would serve as a teaching assistant in geometry. He agreed, discovered that he immensely enjoyed the experience, and determined to ultimately pursue a career as an academic.

Fritz taught Economics and Public Administration at Ohio State from 1964 until his retirement from the University in 1987. Fritz was well known and admired by his colleagues at OSU, and served on the Faculty Senate, as President of the OSU chapter of the American Association of University Professors, and as Co-Chair (with Woody Hayes) of the campus United Way drive. In 1981 He received the inaugural Louis Nemzer award from the OSU chapter of the AAUP for his defense of academic freedom. During the administration of Ohio governor Dick Celeste, Fritz was selected to chair a committee tasked with creating a proposed income tax system for the State. For this work he received commendations from the Ohio Governor, Senate, and House of Representatives. Following his retirement from OSU, Fritz served for several years as Executive Director of the National Tax Association, an organization committed to the study of public taxation, spending, and borrowing decisions by governments around the world.

Fritz and his wife Janet were adventurous and always fond of travel, enjoying trips throughout the US and overseas. Their international travel included visits to many European destinations, an African photo safari, visits to Morocco, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sumatra, Java and Bali, and a trip on a freighter through the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific. Following Fritz's retirement from the National Tax Association In 1994 they sold their home in Upper Arlington, purchased a motor home, and spent the next six years traveling throughout the United States (including Alaska), Canada and Mexico. After living briefly in Ajijic, Mexico, they finally settled in Chula Vista, California, a suburb of San Diego. There Fritz and Janet continued an active social life, developing new friendships and associations.

Fritz was a great intellect, but it was his humility, generosity of spirit and sense of humor that earned him many life-long friends.

Fritz was long time member of the American Humanist Association, and a dedicated member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, holding many service positions in the UU congregations in Columbus and San Diego.

Fritz is survived by son Fritz (Diane) of San Diego, by daughters Susan Stocker (George Duval) of Sudbury, Massachusetts and Amy Stocker (Ron Satkiewicz) of Evanston, Illinois, by sister Patricia Lawler of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, by eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and by hundreds of former students. He was predeceased by Janet (2018) and by his beloved daughter, Sara (1983).

Contributions in Fritz's memory may be made to either the First UU Church of Columbus, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43214, the First UU Church of San Diego, 4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA. 92103, or to the American Humanist Association.