John E. Fredrickson

Faculty 1976-1984

Professor John E. Fredrickson was born in Chicago in 1919 and moved to California as a teenager in 1936. After completing high school, he entered Modesto Junior College to take a course in Aeronautics. Between 1938-1939, Fredrickson became a farmhand, taking care of his family apricot orchard. Always mentioning how farm-work was too hard, he went back to Modesto Junior College to earn a degree in Chemistry.

Fredrickson then transitioned to the University of California at Berkeley and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry. John was a hard worker with indefatigable energy. He paid his way while studying in college, working as a spotter for Virginia Cleaner.

He continued his education, earning his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Southern California. He joined faculty at CSULB as the third member of a not-yet-formed Physics Department. Professor Fredrickson served as Chairman of the Department of Physics & Astronomy from 1976-1979. Throughout his career, Fredrickson went on two sabbatical leaves to research ion implementation that he performed jointly with Professor Spritzer. In August 1984, Fredrickson participated in the early retirement program.

Dr. Fredrickson’s decades of teaching and leadership at the university were matched by decades of leadership and service at Rolling Hills Covenant Church. He served as a choir tenor, an enthusiastic softball team player, a member of the Deacon Board multiple terms, the Church Chairman, and a Sunday School teacher for both 5th graders and adults.

The College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics expresses gratitude to all scholarship donors who continue to enhance the quality of education students experience at CNSM.