In Memoriam - Manfred Frings

Manfred Frings died peacefully Monday, December 15, 2008. He is survived by his soul mate and wife of 32 years, Karin; daughter, Bliss; and many friends, colleagues, and grateful felines. Dr. Frings was a professor emeritus of Philosophy at DePaul University in Chicago. Manfred taught and lectured at a variety of universities in the U.S. and abroad, including the universities of Cologne, Freiburg, Oxford, Varna, and the Sorbonne. Since 1970, he was editor of the German Edition of the Collected Works (Gesammelte Werke) of the philosopher Max Scheler. Besides his research in contemporary philosophical issues, such as the order of values, the sociology of knowledge, morals and politics, and the philosophy of time, he focused on the historical links between pre-Socratic thought and basic concepts of contemporary atomic physics; Dr. Frings was honorary president of the International Max Scheler Society and a founding member of the Max Scheler Society of North America. He was humbled to have had the privilege of being a contributing writer to the Encyclopedia Britannica. He published well over one hundred articles, edited twenty four books and wrote a number of books including "A Concise Introduction into the World of a Great Thinker". His research in Max Scheler's philosophy and extensive work as editors of Scheler's collected works met with many expressions of recognition and gratitude, among them was his meeting at the Vatican with Pope John Paul II in private audience, after writing the forward to Pope John Paul II's book Primat des Geistes. Manfred was a member of the National Association of Scholars, the Air Force Association, the Heritage Foundation, and was American correspondent for The British Society for Phenomenology from 1975 until 1996. Among his avocations were playing the violin and piano, the latter of which he taught himself, by ear. He had given recitals both home and abroad. His favorite was the piano music of classic romanticism, especially Frederic Chopin and Franz Schubert. He was contentedly playing his piano at home when he had a stroke. He went peacefully to wherever it is we go when we leave this life the following morning. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, December 19, 2008, at 4:30 p.m., at French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, 1111 University Blvd N.E. Mass will be held Saturday, December 20, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery with Burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Mexico Animal Friends, 2917 Carlisle Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 or Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico, 2645 Baylor Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106-3232. Please visit our online guestbook for Manfred at http://RememberTheirStory.com French 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333

Albuquerque Journal, December 19, 2008