Dr. Hugh E. Frick - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Dr. Hugh E. Frick

Dr. Hugh E. Frick, age 84, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at Christiana Hospital due to complications of COVID-19.

Dr. Frick was a son of the late Theodore S. and Miriam E. (Lewis) Frick of New York. He was a professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Delaware for his entire academic career and continued to support the University’s Department of Agriculture and Library services well after his retirement. He was an avid reader, gardener, international traveler and basketball enthusiast.

Dr. Frick is survived by his wife of 52 years, Siân E. Frick; brother, Neil Frick (Charlotte) of Pittsburgh, PA; daughter, Tegan Maybrun (Ken) of Spring Grove, IL; son Timothy Frick (Kelly) of Newark, DE; as well as five grandchildren.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Frick’s memory to the University of Delaware’s Morris Library, Attention: Linda Garber, 181 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19717 or to the Friends Foundation of the Cecil County Public Library, 301 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD 21921.

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40 Condolences for Dr. Hugh E. Frick

  • Dear Tegan and Tim and families,
    You know what good friends your dad and mom have been to us. We will miss Hugh greatly and will hold your mom and you in our hearts.
    Love, Betsy and Tom

  • Condolences to the family. So sorry for this abrupt and important loss.

  • Dear Sean and family,

    My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have fond memories of Hugh attending Cor Rehoboth events with you and supporting the choir.
    Fondly,
    Cindy

  • My most heartfelt condolences to Siân and the rest of the family. I had the pleasure of knowing Hugh through Siân as director of the Welsh Choir for 15 years. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you manage during this most difficult time in our country. May God give you strength and peace.
    With Love,
    David Tramontana

  • Bob and I are deeply sorry to hear of Hugh’s passing.He was a fabulous fellow and friend.Our thoughts are with you at this time.Fondly, Bob and Penny

  • We did not know Hugh, but we do know Tim, and so we can only acknowledge the life of Hugh Frick by the way he raised a fine son. To Sian, Tim and Kelly, Tegan and Ken, and family, we send you our deepest sympathies.

    Sincerely,
    Fran and Dave Skellie

  • I always enjoyed seeing and chatting with Dr Frick and Siân at the Elkton library.

  • Sincere sympathy to all the family. We will miss seeing him at Rehoboth Chapel in Delta.

  • Sian, Tegan and Timo, we are so sad to see Hugh’s obituary today. We hope you are all ok in these trying times.

  • With deepest heartfelt sympathy.

  • Hugh was an outstanding faculty member in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, for many years. The faculty and staff of the college are greatly saddened to learn of his passing. On behalf of the entire college, I extend condolences to the family.
    Mark Rieger
    Dean and Professor

  • Dear Sian,
    Although I never knew your children, I know they had the best mother and Dad in the world. I was always pleased to be with Sian and Hugh throughout our university days. Sorry to hear he passed away during this frightful time.

  • It’s very sad that Hugh is no longer here.

  • So sorry for your loss. We enjoyed getting to know Hugh when he brought Sian to Cor Rebobeth rehearsals, and especially on the 2013 trip to Wales. May God be with you all during these hard times.

  • I share in the family’s loss of Hugh this week. His smile brings a smile now to my face. I was fortunate to have known him as a friend since we all visited Wales together in 2013 with the Rehoboth Choir. I appreciate his efforts to enable Sian to experience a more enjoyable life in recent years.

  • We at Rehoboth Welsh Church in Delta are deeply saddened by the news of Hugh’s passing. He attended our special events along with Sian. His ready smile and cheerful greeting were always evident. He conveyed a sense of friendliness to everyone. His dedication to his family was clearly shown. We will miss him, and will pray for Sian and all of the family. May he rest in peace.

  • My sincere convalescence to the family. So sorry to hear this sad news.

    Hugh was a great colleague to have. I was so fortunate to have him around since I joined the department years ago. He was always ready to give good advice on many different topics ranging from child-rearing to navigating departmental culture and to science. He showed up in all the presentations and thesis defenses of my students, and seminars that I organized even after he retired. I will miss seeing his gentle and assuring smile and warm hug.

    Jung-Youn Lee

  • Hugh was a great mentor and friend. He helped me not only with my academic work but also how to be a better person. I still think of him often every time when I fill my bird feeder. We miss you.

  • Hugh was such a wonderful man! I enjoyed every conversation that I had with him- he always made me smile 🙂 Much love and virtual hugs sent to the entire Frick family.

  • Tim and Tegan,
    We are so sorry for your loss. We’ve been keeping all of you in our prayers and look forward to when we can get together in person.
    Sean, Lisa, Marissa, and Aidan

  • Dear Sian, Tim, Kelly and family,
    We are saddened to hear of Hugh’s death. It was always a pleasure to be in Hugh’s company at Welsh choir concerts or chapel services. He was such a fine man; a gentle man as well as a gentleman. He will be missed.
    Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this time.
    John and Mary Owen

  • Dear Sîan,

    My deepest condolences.

    My life has been all the better for knowing you and Hugh. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    David. A. Walker, Jr. – Philadelphia

  • Sue and I are praying for Hugh’s family during this challenging time. J Swasey

  • Tim and Tegan

    I was privileged to be part of the “lunch bunch” including Dave F., Tom P. and Wally P., sharing a meal with your father on most days for more than 20 years. It included great scientific banter among good friends, and we all enjoyed this time with Hugh as he, like all of us, had our own scientific theories on the questions of the day. Your father is greatly missed. He taught me many things about academia and life which have made me a better person. I am sorry for your loss.

  • to the Frick family, so sorry to hear the passing of Hugh. What a great guy he was and as my friend at the U of D. My thoughts and prayer

    are with your family.

  • Dear Frick Family,
    We were saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Frick. We fondly reflect on Maria having him as a teacher at UD and Nick getting to know Tim during last summer’s internship.. We lift up your family in prayer as you go through this time of transition.
    Sincerely,
    Maria and Nick Pautler

  • I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to your family.

  • Sian, Tegan and Tim,

    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and your families during this difficult time. I knew Hugh through work here at UD in the PLSC department and events such as the flower show. My in-laws, Ed and Lois Gartley, had fond memories of Sian and High through Welsh Folk Dancing and other events. My husband Ed and I hope you find comfort in the many good memories folks here have of Hugh.

    Karen and Ed Gartley

  • Tim and family,
    Out deepest sympathies and condolences. May your father rest in peace.
    Fred and Mary Jean Polaski

  • Sending prayers for peace for the Frick family. Hugh will be remembered for his quiet dignity. Loving memories from Cor Rehoboth Choir Member.

  • Deep sympathy and condolences, Tegan. So difficult to lose your Dad at any time – and even more difficult under the circumstances. I hope you can find peace and closure of some sort during this time. Much love from Christel and I to you, your brother, kids, and the rest of your family. Stay well, be well.

  • Dear Siân Frick,

    My condolences because of the loss of your husband. It was very sad news.

    Sincerely,
    Anne Braun (mother of Jeanne Braun Velonis)

  • Our condolences to Siân and family. Hugh was wonderful teacher and researcher. I can remember the thought provoking discussions in journal club that Hugh hosted when I was a graduate student. Many years later, I would often run into Hugh at the Cecil Co. Library in Elkton. Hugh will be missed by many.
    Love, Stacey and Rob Chirnside

  • I also had the pleasure of being one of the few undergrads that ate lunch with Drs. Frey, Pill, and Dr.Frick. Much earlier time than Dr Evans. Dr Frick was an excellent teacher. He prepared me so will well for graduate level physiology that the professor asked me back then who taught me at Delaware. Gladly answered Hugh Frick.

  • Dr. Frick was first my professor, and then a good friend. I was that student he would have to wake up in class with his jar of M&M’s. I struggled with plant cycles. After college a friendship bloomed when I worked in the building next to his. He was witty and intelligent. I could talk to him about work and my future goals. I invited him to my small wedding at the last minute and was beyond happy to see him and Siân there. He didn’t realize how much he meant to me. It’s been so long since we have spoke. I have thought about him a lot over the years. I hope he knows how much he meant to me. To all of us. I know he would act like that was silly, but it was true. I’m heartbroken.

  • Dear Siân and Family, my dearest sympathies on the passing of Hugh.
    I’ve known Siân through the Celtic dance community.
    May the Blessings Be,
    Love, Susan Baker

  • I just learned of Dr. Frick’s passing. He was a great teacher and years after my knowing him through the more formal classroom setting he always was happy to see me and chat. A real gentleman and he left the world a better place.

  • Siân,
    I have just learned of The passing of Hugh. Sue an I are sorry for your loss. As the greenhouse manager at the U of D I was privileged to also be a part of the lunch group. I have fond memories of Hugh and I know he will be missed by all his family and friends

  • Dear Sian,
    I am so sorry. I just learned of Hugh’s passing when I searched for his contact info on Google. He made a strong impact on my life when I was still a struggling graduate student at Purdue Univ. He would encourage me to persevere when I stumbled and felt low. His humor and wit would bring a smile. I am really glad we shared good times together, even recently when I visited Univ. Delaware. Take care. Heven with Robert.

  • I’m saddened to learn of Dr. Frick’s passing. Although my career path took me away from plant science, my time with Huge, in the late 1970s, taught me many fundamentals of biology and fueled my enthusiasm for molecular and cellular biology in humans. In a roundabout way, I’m back to thinking about plants once more–the effects of dietary secondary metabolites from plants on gene expression in humans. RIP Hugh.