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George Fegan Obituary
April 18, 1935 - December 20, 2016
George Fegan was born in San Francisco in 1935. If you took his word for it, his boyhood paper route extended over most of the Eureka Valley, Castro, and Mission. After terrorizing the nuns at Most Holy Redeemer, he went on to become student body president at St. Ignatius, where he was an all-state hurdler. He held a BA from USF, master's degrees from SJSU and SFSU, and a PhD from OSU. He was a lifelong educator, teaching high school English for years before becoming a math professor at Santa Clara University, where he was department chair and an associate dean.He made his pasta from scratch. He gave Johnny Mathis his first gig. His basketball nickname was the Butcher. Or the Hammer—one of those. He once relieved himself upstream of George H. W. Bush. He got his master's in English and then his PhD in math because why not? As an altar boy, he nearly burned down the church; this was possibly an accident. His mustache was better than yours. He was the only white person to work at Henry's Hunan Restaurant. He was a published poet. He was a published mathematician. He was a terrible rabbit hunter. He had gout, the disease of kings. He was George Lucas' favorite high school teacher. He hated Reagan. He had eight toes. He could still arm wrestle you under the table at 80. He was a professor emeritus without ever receiving tenure. He once flew halfway around the world to show up on his future wife's doorstep unannounced. Most of this is true.
His family—wife Sophie Chung Fegan; children Jeff Fegan, Debra Meyer, and MacKenzie Fegan; scores of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews—will miss his mushroom risotto and questionable sense of humor. They will not miss his singing voice. A memorial for family and friends will be held at the United Irish Cultural Center on Sunday, January 8, at 11:00 am. In remembrance of his dedication to supporting women in STEM, donations may be made to Girls Who Code. In defiance of the disease that took him away from us, donations may also be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Fegan
Ray Brown
January 17, 2017
May you Rest in Peace, George. Deepest condolences to the family.
A.M.D.G., brother.
Ray Brown '64
Dyan Howell Pike
January 16, 2017
I remember laughing and sighing in recognition of our shared humanity as Mr. Fegan discussed great works of literature in our high school English class. He was full of wit and wisdom; a great light has left this world with his death. Blessings to his family.
Mo Haddon
January 8, 2017
One of my favorite neighbors of all time. He engaged us to keep an eye on his little cabin in the woods here on Lupine Drive in Rhododendron. A job we loved to do. The memories of getting to know this brilliant man along with Sophie and MacKenzie and his other family members is something we will always treasure. During his many returns to the mountain cabin that he loved we shared mushroom hunts, hikes,bike rides and many meals filled with good food, great conversation, laughs, jokes and history of his life as well as ours.George just being himself allowed us to love this authentic Irish gentleman more than we could have imagined. God Speed our dear friend, we miss you.
Julian Irias
January 8, 2017
It's been interesting to read a little about George's life beyond what I
remember from our years at SI. I'm not surprised to learn that he became
an effective teacher. I recall how he would arrive early for class and
announce to the nearly empty classroom "I want to be entertained!" Maybe
you had to be there to appreciate the tone and intention, mocking our
expectations while recognizing that teachers do need to capture students'
interest.
As to how George did that when he became a teacher, others can doubtless
provide the facts. For my part, and in line with the obituary's "most of
this is true" approach, I will speculate that he used humor liberally. He
must certainly have been a Walt Kelly fan, especially fond of the memorable
"Songs of the Pogo" ("Deck Us All with Boston, Charlie, Walla Walla Wash.
and Kalamazoo," and suchlike classics). At least, I remember George on the
24 bus (bound for a transfer to the 5 or the 31), softly crooning improved
versions of "Charmaine" and "They Tried to Tell Us We're Too Young" (hint:
the revisions introduced a gastronomic motif).
May flights of angels sing him to his rest.
Sandra Hyslop
January 7, 2017
Sharing in the flood of George-memories that he has left to us all, I will add only that my ten years on Lupine Drive in Rhododendron, Oregon, would have been a drab decade without him. With him, it was a joy. And that is all true. Sandra
Bethel Webb
January 7, 2017
Loved George and his sense of humor always cheered me. We shared his love of food and of the great out doors. I miss you my friend. Rest easy
Gayle Zuckerman
January 7, 2017
Hi Sophie and family, I was so sad to hear of George's passing. I remember many fun memories of hanging out with the two of you and my parents. One time a bunch of us piled in the back of your van to go to Poulsbo for brunch at The Poulsbo Inn, so much fun. Every get together was filled with laughter and good times. My sincerest sympathy for your loss.
Love,
Gayle Shepard-Zuckerman
January 7, 2017
Mack you missed a couple of things-- he could be beat at cribbage but not much else, he was a pretty good Steelhead fisherman but a dangerous fly caster, and menace with power tool in his hand.
He was also my dearest Friend since we were freshman at SI. Condolences to all his family and friends who mill mis him as much as I will
Joe
Laurence Dang
January 7, 2017
Dear Sophia, MacKenzie and family,
Dr. Fegan has been an inspiration for me and for many students at Santa Clara University as the chair of the Applied Mathematics department. I will always count him as one of my heroes. I will never forget his great words of advice, his concern, and his warmth. His light as a Mathematician and as a great professor will shine forever as his teachings will be shared with a new generation of students.
May you find comfort, peace, and blessings always,
Laurence
Kay Bradner
January 7, 2017
So very sorry to hear about his passing.
Ray Brown
January 6, 2017
May you Rest in Peace, George. Amen. And, my deepest, respectful condolences to the family.
A.M.D.G.
Ray Brown SI '64
January 6, 2017
Didn't even know George but, I sure wish I did!
Wesley Tom
January 6, 2017
Sophie and family,
Please accept our most profound condolences and sympathy on George's passing. The two years we spent together as faculty members in the math department at the University of Portland were two of the most enjoyable years of my professional career. He had a wonderful irreverent sense of humor which would brighten my day the moment he greeted me. I learned a lot about restaurants, food, teaching math and computer programming from him. Perhaps the greatest compliment he paid me was when he called me "the dirtiest basketball player" he had ever played against!
Rest well, George. Thanks for all the great times and memories.
Wesley Tom
Redlands, CA
Laura Chielpegian
January 6, 2017
Dear Fegan Family,
Thinking of you all at this difficult time and remembering my time at SCU, visiting with George on Friday afternoons in the Engineering Building, where I never went for any other reason :), with much fondness. His Probability class tortured many of my classmates, but they all loved HIM. And were impressed that I could call him my cousin. A life well lived and filled with the good stuff. He would've loved that my three girls are all scientists and mathematicians! All my best.
Sincerely,
Laura (Giambruno) Chielpegian
Mary Martin
January 6, 2017
Dearest Fegan Family and extended clan:
I'm a native San Franciscan, a daughter and sister of alums of St. Ignatius College Prep and our Dad also went to USF undergrad and law school. I wish I had the pleasure to have met all of you as I share in your loss. I write to hope you all find solace in the love George had for all of you in the days, weeks, months to come, but more importantly, would imagine he's laughing his head off while dancing on the stars at this wonderful obituary! May I ask you to write mine when the time comes?
God bless you all...
January 6, 2017
May Uncle George rest in peace. Loved to be around such a wonderful and fun uncle. Will miss the good meals at the Hunan, and definitely his laugh. God Bless.
Margaret Fournier (Brady)
Jacqueline Devine
January 5, 2017
I miss all the great card games he played with us at the Holidays. I will miss his infectious laugh. He had the original snort, horse laugh, Joey and I try, but Uncle George's was great. I will miss seeing his warm smile. My love to Aunt Soph, Cousins Jeff, Debra and Makenzie.
January 5, 2017
George was one of a very few people whose words did not have second meanings. He was candid, kind and a pleasure to be around. I had the fortune of hanging out with George one summer at his place in OR - we had a relaxing time chatting and eating too much pasta. Rest in Lord's Peace my friend.
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