Fadlou Shehadi, Rutgers professor of philosophy emeritus and a professional singer, died at home in Princeton Feb. 29, 2012, from congestive heart failure. He was 86.
Shehadi was born in Lebanon and in 1948 graduated from the American University of Beirut and from the Institut de Musique. He then received a master’s in philosophy in 1951 from Princeton. In 1953, he joined Rutgers’ philosophy department and he completed his Princeton Ph.D. in 1959. He retired from Rutgers in 1994.
Although he was a Christian, Shehadi considered Islamic culture part of his heritage. He was known for his work on the study of Islamic philosophy. His last effort, Philosophies of Music in Medieval Islam, is the only book on the subject.
Throughout his life, Shehadi continued his musical activities. He gave recitals in many countries and sang in operas. Critics praised his baritone voice. In addition, he chaired the Princeton University Concerts Committee, and was president of both the Friends of Music at Princeton and the board of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, among other musical endeavors.
Shehadi is survived by his wife, Alison, and two children. His eldest son, Philip, was head of the Reuters bureau in Algiers when he was killed in 1991.
Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.