DR. FREDERICK T. WITZIG

Frederick T. Witzig, 84, of Duluth, went to be with his Lord in his home, on Friday, Aug. 14, 2009 surrounded by his family.

Frederick Witzig was born Feb. 26, 1925 in Morton, Ill., to Elmer and Naoma Witzig.

He graduated from Morton High School. He served his country as a Navy Corpsman from 1943 to 1946. Frederick received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bradley University and earned his Masters and PhD degree’s in geography from the University of Illinois.

He married Lois Petty of Lawrenceville, Ill., on March 25, 1951.

After teaching at both the Bradley and Illinois campuses, he joined the University of Minnesota – Duluth staff in 1953 to teach geography. He became the head of the Geography Department in 1965. He became the Chairman - Division of Social Sciences in 1970 and was Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He received the Student Association Outstanding Teacher Award in 1967 and developed the environmental conservation course taught at UMD. In 1981 and 1986, Frederick lectured at the University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England as part of UMD’s study abroad program. Frederick retired from UMD in 1990 after 37 years.

His deep commitment to public service and the environment guided his community involvement. He was a member of the Gitche-Gumee chapter of Kiwanis where he served as president as well as the Kiwanis Key Club representative. He was appointed to the Duluth Planning Commission and served as Chairman.

Beginning in the 1960’s until his death, he participated in citizen efforts to promote the establishment of Voyageurs National Park. Frederick was a charter member of the Lake States Interpretive Association. He served for many years with the Duluth Chapter of Citizens for Voyageurs National Park and as a board member of the Voyageurs National Park Association. He captured the lengthy process to establish Voyageurs National Park by writing a book entitled ‘Voyageurs National Park: The Battle to Create Minnesota’s National Park’ which was published in 2004 by University of Minnesota Press.

He traveled several times throughout Europe and loved all music especially classical. Since 1953, Frederick was a member of the Woodland Methodist Church which later merged with Hope United Methodist Church. He faithfully served the church in many capacities including Sunday school teacher and numerous leadership boards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, William Witzig.

Frederick is survived by his dear wife, Lois; children, Eric (Leanne) Witzig of Onalaska, Wis., Michael (Jennie) Witzig of Morton, Ill., Karen (Richard) Kelly of Sagle, Idaho, Kurt (Sarah) Witzig of Duluth; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary Ellen Witzig Winings of East Sandwich, Mass., Harold (Dorothy) Witzig of Morton, Ill., Gene (Mary Ann) Witzig of Morton, Ill., Shirley (Ed) Hauter of Mackinaw, Ill., and Lois (Boyd) Metzger of Chicago, Ill.: and many nieces and nephews.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, in Hope United Methodist Church, 301 West St. Marie St., Duluth. There will be a visitation one hour before the service in the church. In Frederick’s memory, memorials may be made to the Hope United Methodist Church, Voyageurs National Park Association, University of Minnesota Duluth - Department of Geography, American Cancer Society or any organization of choice. Arrangements entrusted to Cremation Society of Minnesota, 624-5200.