Fred S. Van Vleck
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Fred S. Van Vleck, 83, Lawrence passed away Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Bridge Haven in Lawrence. A visitation is set for Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 10:00 ~ 12:00 pm at Warren-McElwain Mortuary with spoken remembrances starting at 10:30 am.
Fred was born on December 12, 1934 in Antelope County, Nebraska, the son of Harold and Patricia (Scott) Van Vleck.
He was a Professor at the University of Kansas for 42 years.
Fred married Charlotte Allen on June 18, 1960 in Sherburn, Minnesota. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include his children: Erik Van Vleck and his wife Barbara Bosché, Paul Van Vleck, Karl Van Vleck, Kristina Ingram and her husband Bryan, and Teresa Munk and her husband Peter; brother Dale Van Vleck; grandchildren: Haley Van Vleck, Alex Van Vleck, Max Ingram, Lucy Ingram, Erik Munk and Anna Munk.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Betty Ray.
Fred grew up on the family farm outside of Clearwater, Nebraska. In addition to raising crops and dairy cattle, the family raised Hereford cattle and were active in 4-H activities. For grades one through eight, Fred attended school in a one room school house with no electricity or water. He went to secondary school at Ewing High School and participated in basketball, football, track, and baseball and graduated second in his class. His parents, although not having much formal education themselves, highly valued education.
He attended the University of Nebraska on a Regents scholarship. After first studying chemical engineering and philosophy, he switched to mathematics after taking, in college, a basic high school level algebra course to prepare for the engineering coursework. He earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Mathematics at Nebraska and was greatly influenced by Professor Lloyd Jackson. He next moved to the University of Minnesota where he studied under the supervision of Professor Lawrence Markus. It was there that he met his future wife Charlotte Allen. They were married shortly after he received his PhD in Mathematics in 1960. The newlyweds moved to Cambridge, MA where Fred was an Instructor of Mathematics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1962 he took a position in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Kansas.
At KU, Fred was active as a scholar and a teacher. After arriving in Lawrence, he co-authored two textbooks. He published numerous journal papers and a research monograph during his career on topics that included differential equations, multi-valued functions, and optimal control theory with KU colleagues and other collaborators. He held visiting professor positions at the University of Colorado and Florida Atlantic University, and he served as a visiting lecturer for the Mathematical Association of America. In 1985, he was named as Chancellor’s Club Teaching Professor, a position he held until his retirement in 2004. He served as Director or Co-director of the Kansas Mathematics Workshops for Secondary School Teachers from 1989 to 1999.
Running became a passion for Fred in the 1970s. He was a founding member of the noon time KU faculty and staff running group known as “Mad Dogs and Englishmen.” He competed in and finished the KU Relays Marathon several times and served for many years as a volunteer at the KU Relays. He was an active reader who enjoyed reading mysteries. In later years, he expanded his interests in family genealogy and civil war history. For his children and grandchildren Fred was a patient, calm, and generous parent, grandparent, and role model.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a gifted mathematician, a generous and trusted colleague, and a friend to many, Fred had an uncanny ability (that he worked very hard at) to remember people’s names, even students from large classes many years before.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Fred’s name to Warm Hearts of Douglas County or The Willow Domestic Violence Center and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Erik, sorry to learn of your loss. Sending prayers for comfort and strength during your time of bereavement. Please pass my condolences on to the entire family. May your father rest in peace.
Gregory Galloway, USAF (Ret).
My condolences to the Van Vleck family. So sorry to hear of the passing of Fred and you all will be in my thoughts during this time.
Karl and family –
Our deepest sympathies for your loss. Sounds like Fred was an awesome individual and I’m certain he’ll be missed. May he rest in peace.
Karl & Family,
My condolences to you and your family. So sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Karl and family,
My prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time. It sounds like he was a wonderful man.
Karl and Family,
May your loving memories and God’s promise provide comfort to you in the days ahead. Your Dad contributed so much to our society. Thank you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tim and Kay
Karl and family,
Our condolences to you and your family. Fred was an amazing man and gave so much to the community. May he rest in peace and may his memories live on forever.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karl and family –
Our condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dad. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May you find peace and comfort in the support you receive and knowing that he is in God’s care.
Karl and family-
So sorry to learn of Mr. Van Vleck’s passing. He lived an amazing life. You all must be very proud. No doubt heaven’s gate is wide open for him.
Tim Rose
Karl:
So sorry to hear of your father ‘s passing. My wife and I send our deepest sympathies. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Karl and Family,
We wish you all healing and peace in the memories of the many years you shared together. Our hearts are with you.
Erik,
I didn’t know your family personally, but I was one of Professor Van Vleck’s students from 1996 to 2001. He was my advisor and very supportive. I am sorry to know that he passed, but just wanted you to know that I have thought of him often over the years and slightly regret never taking his advice to continue on with my studies in mathematics. To be a teacher as he was – patient, thoughtful, and illuminating – would have been very fulfilling.
All the best,
Nathan
Dear Charlotte and all of your family,
Jim and I send our fond remembrances of Fred and all of you during those years that we lived in Old West Lawrence when Shane and Anne and Eve were friends of your children. Fred was always friendly and upbeat. His professional contributions have made a difference in the world of mathematics and mathematics education and I am sure he will be remembered by many students. You are in our hearts as you say goodbye to this wonderful man.
Erik, Barb, and Haley,
Sending you and your family caring thoughts at this tough time. What a nice tribute to your dad / grandfather.
Debra
I ran a LOT of miles with Fred in the 1970s. When we did long runs together he always sped up as we neared the finish. When I complained to him, he said, “I just want to finish”. I have many fond memories of our runs together and valued him as friend.
May he rest in peace!
Chuck
Harold & Linda lived across the street from the Van Vlecks during the 70’s. The Van Vleck twin girls (Kristina & Teresa) played with our 2 youngest kids. Harold ran with Fred for many years. Harold remembers running with Fred (& others in the Math Dept) at lunch time in Allen Field House before the Mad Dogs were formed. Most of the Math Dept runners became Mad Dogs. For many years, I considered Fred as “right hand man” to Phil Montomery who was originally in charge of the Mad Dogs. Fred was always a gentle & friendly person, yet quite accomplished. Both of us will miss him. Our feelings go out to Charlotte.
Harold & Linda