Robert E. Frazel

Born August 19, 1934 in Somerville, Mass., Robert Ellard Frazel
attended Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School, graduating in
1952.  Bob served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956 on the USS Bushnell. 
While in the military he was trained in navigational gyros calibration,
the repair of electrical equipment, and attended motion picture repair
and operator’s school, having served an apprenticeship for motion
picture projectionist before he entered military service.  After
discharge from the Navy, he passed the Massachusetts state exam for a
projectionist license, and worked as a projectionist at Community
Theatre in Osterville from 1958 to 1961. During this same time he also
worked at Electro Switch Corp. in Osterville, assembling and testing
prototypes of slip rings and telemetering switches and as a plastics
technician. 

Bob began his long career at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in
August 1961, when he joined the staff as a laboratory technician
working with Alan Faller and later Alan Ibbetson in the Department of
Theoretical Oceanography and Meteorology, later merged with the
Physical Oceanography Department.  He was promoted to research
assistant in 1968 and to senior research assistant in 1973, working
with Jack Whitehead in the geophysical fluid dynamics laboratory. During
the 1960s and 1970s he also worked on aircraft with Peter
Saunders and the marine meteorology group.

At his retirement party in August 1994, Dean John Farrington and
Associate Dean Jake Peirson presented Bob
with a special degree, complete with hood and framed diploma, as Doctor
of Human Praxis from Upper Quissett Unstately University in recognition
of his unselfish and patient help with students, visitors and staff
members. The diploma was signed
by First Fellow Tom Aldrich and Top Overseer Susan Tarbell, and Bob
took great delight in the honor.  He
chaired several WHOI committees, participated in many Institution
activities, and enjoyed speaking about oceanography to civic and
community groups.  He was a loyal patron of The Buttery, and a
long-time member of the
Greater Falmouth Mostly All Male Men’s Chorus, which performed a
specially written song in his honor at his retirement party. 

After retirement Bob moved to Naples, FL where he was very active in
the Naples Orchestra & Chorus and Marco Island choruses. He was
also a member of the Lions and Elks clubs.

He is survived by two sons, Robert E. Frazel, Jr. of St. Petersburg,
Fla., and Richard E. Frazel of Sandwich, Mass.; a daughter, Melinda A.
Mlodzienski of Macedon, N.Y.; five grandchildren; a brother, Donald A.
Frazel; many nieces and nephews; and many friends including his
caregiver Thomas Kletschka.

Funeral arrangements are private. Memorial donations may be sent to
Hospice of Naples, 1095 Whipporwill Lane, Naples, FL 34109  or
Naples Orchestra and Chorus, P.O. Box 9542, Naples, FL 34101-9542.