Frederick R. MacFadden Jr. ’50

Fred, professor emeritus at Coppin State University, died March 19, 2014, in Baltimore.

A graduate of Glassboro (N.J.) High School, Fred worked on the Nassau Lit, managed the Campus Sales Agency, and majored in English at Princeton. After three years in the Army, he was an instructor at several lower schools, a YMCA secretary, and a life-insurance salesman. Then, to his own “astonishment,” he found himself re-entering academia at Penn, where he earned advanced degrees in English — a master’s degree in 1956 and a Ph.D. in 1961.

He taught at Mansfield (Pa.) State College for several years before accepting a professorship at Coppin State in Baltimore, where he taught English until retiring in 1999. He was architect of Coppin’s first honors program.

He was a scholar of American literature, with papers appearing in a variety of publications. His book, Knight with Quill, was published in 1997. He edited the Baltimore-area Mensa newsletter, was a board member and actor with Arena Players of Baltimore, and a multiple winner with Toastmasters International. Fred’s Christian faith and family were always central in his life.

We extend our sympathy to Jean, his wife of 57 years; daughters Lily and Julie; son Ned; and three grandchildren.