John L. Frothingham ’40 *41

The New Canaan (Conn.) Advertiser described Frots, who died Sept. 25, 2006, at his home, as “a chemical engineer, who worked on the early development of the atomic bomb.”

His classmates will remember him as a strong downhill skier, an accomplished classical pianist, vocalist, raconteur, and loyal Princetonian.

Frots prepared at St. George’s School. At Princeton, he majored in chemical engineering and was a member of the freshman football and gym teams. He earned a master’s in chemical engineering at Princeton in 1941.

During World War II, he worked on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where plutonium was extracted from uranium for the first atomic bomb. He later worked in naval aviation ordnance in Inyokern, Calif., as a lieutenant junior grade. Postwar years were spent with several chemical companies, and Frots retired as chemical sales manager for Texaco-Pittsburgh.

A lover of classical music, sports, flying, and ham radio, he was also a member of the Nantucket Yacht Club, the Country Club of New Canaan, and the choir of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Frots is survived by his wife of 64 years, Laetitia “Tish” Seibels; three daughters, Anne Cross, Caesara Wendin, and Laetitia Mead; a son, John Jr.; and 10 grandchildren. His classmates wish to extend their condolences.