Deaths

Dr. Fiechter, Continuing Education

Dr. Charlotte E. Fiechter, former vice dean of the Continuing Education Program, died March 10 at her home in Mount Prospect, Il. She was 71.

A native of New Jersey, Dr. Fiechter received a B.A. from Wellesley College in 1956. She earned both a master’s from the University of Chicago and a doctorate from Harvard University in history.

Dr. Fiechter came to Penn in 1968 as the assistant to the vice provost in the College for Women. In 1972 she became director of continuing education and in 1975 was promoted to vice dean. She left Penn in 1979.

After leaving Penn, Dr. Fiechter was principal and director of St. Thomas Christian Academy. She also served as a chief consultant, designing women’s leadership training programs for Higher Education Resources Services/Mid-America located at the University of Denver. From 1990 to 1996 she served as executive director for the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She then worked with Executive Service Corps of Chicago.

Dr. Fiechter is survived by her sister, Trude McLaughlin; sister-in-law, Annemarie Fiechter; and six nieces and nephews.

Dr. Erickson, Biology

Dr. Ralph O. Erickson, professor emeritus of botany, died March 24, at age 91.

Dr. Erickson earned a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1935, both a M.S. and Ph.D. from Washington University in 1941 and 1944 respectively.

Before coming to Penn, he served as an instructor for Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota (1935-1939), assistant chemist for Western Cartridge Co. in Illinois (1942-44), and as an instructor and assistant professor for the University of Rochester (1944-47). Dr. Erickson began his career at Penn in 1947 as a research associate. In 1949 he became associate professor of botany and in 1954 was promoted to professor. He achieved emeritus status in 1985.

Dr. Erickson was involved in many scientific activities. He was president of the Society for Study of Development and Growth (1954-55), acting chairman of the department of biology (1961-63), and chairman of the graduate group in botany (1957-66). Dr. Erickson was also a fellow of the Guggenheim Foundation at the California Institute of Technology (1954-55).

Dr. Erickson is survived by his wife Elinor, daughters, Diane Erickson Field and Elizabeth J. Erickson; three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.