Friesen, Delbert Ray (1942-2002)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2002 Aug 5 p. 2; 2002 Aug 7 p. 2

Birth date: 194 2Apr 18

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2002 Sep 16 p. 8

text of obituary:

DELBERT R. FRIESEN

Delbert Ray Friesen was born April 18, 1942, to Arthur and Viola (Graber) Friesen in Canton, Okla. His childhood included nearly 16 years in Oklahoma as the son of Mennonite missionaries to the Cheyenne and Arapaho.

The family moved to Reedley, Calif., in 1957, and he graduated from Reedley High School, Reedley Junior College and then received his bachelor's degree from Bethel College, North Newton, Kan. After attending Kansas State University, Manhattan, he received his doctorate in physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

His entire career of 31 years was devoted to teaching physics and related courses at liberal arts colleges, including his alma mater, Bethel College, Marietta College in Ohio, Tougaloo College in Mississippi, Millikin University in Illinois and finally at Whitworth College in Spokane, Wash., since 1985. He served as physics department chair since 1991, was a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers and the Pacific Northwest Association for College Physics.

He was an active member of Shalom Mennonite Fellowship of Spokane and participated in Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference events and committees.

His favorite pastimes included model railroading, camping in national parks and all things electrical. His new Honda hybrid car revealed his interest in ecology as much as practical transportation. His extensive CD collection of many styles of music exhibited his appreciation of the musical arts.

He died unexpectedly of natural causes while camping in Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 2, 2002, at age 60. A memorial service was held at Whitworth College on Aug. 7. The family plans a committal service for the ashes in Reedley on Nov. 29.

Survivors include his mother, Viola Friesen of Reedley; and a brother, Richard and his wife, Dorothy Nickel Friesen, of Bluffton, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother.