Former Elmhurst College President Passes Away

ELMHURST, IL — A celebration of life memorial service will be held in October for Dr. Ivan E. Frick, the 11th president of Elmhurst College. The college said Frick passed away on Saturday, Aug. 25, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was 90.

In honor of Elmhurst College’s 11th president, the college flew its flags at half-staff for 11 days. A celebration of life memorial service will be held in Elmhurst on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 11 a.m. in St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 125 W. Church St. Private interment will take place at Elmhurst College Cemetery.

According to the school, Frick, with his wife, Ruth, served the College from 1971 until 1994. He is remembered for continuing the college’s excellent academic reputation, restoring its financial equilibrium and building a strong sense of campus community.

Early in his career as president of Elmhurst College, Frick successfully led the college through financial challenges that struck much of higher education at the time, the college said in a release. Under his watch, the college would achieve 22 years of balanced budgets; and when he left office in 1994, the endowment stood at $35 million, having grown 46-fold.

“Ivan Frick was such a conscientious steward for the College,” current President Troy VanAken said in a release. “I especially respect his dedication to being a good fiduciary—his long record of balanced budgets, how he built the endowment, his attention to fundraising, and that he kept debt levels low so that future generations wouldn’t be burdened—his approach has set a strong example for me. Ivan and Ruth Frick helped to secure the college’s future and enhance our community, and we will always be grateful.”

The school said the Frick years also were a time of unparalleled fundraising success, which led to numerous capital improvements, including the construction of two buildings and the renovation of several others.

Both Ivan and Ruth Frick also were active in the Elmhurst community, as members of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, and organizations such as the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art and Elmhurst: College and Community, a group that Ruth Frick founded, the school said.

Upon the Fricks’ retirement, the student union was renamed the Frick Center in honor of their leadership.

The college said Frick is survived by two sons, David and Daniel (Tamara Goeglein); his daughter, Susan (Ronald Searl); a sister, two brothers and five granddaughters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Frick Endowed Book Fund of Elmhurst College. You can visit elmhurst.edu/give and, under “Area of Support,” select “Frick Endowed Book Fund.” You also may make your gift by calling the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at (630) 617-3600. Gifts also may be mailed to: Elmhurst College, Attn: Office of Development, 190 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126. Checks should be made payable to Elmhurst College, and should specify Frick Endowed Book Fund in the memo line.

Photo provided by Elmhurst College.