Frederick L. Bissinger, 98, Stevens alumnus and former Board of Trustees chairman, dies

HOBOKEN, N.J. ― Frederick L. Bissinger ’33, an alumnus of Stevens Institute of Technology and a past member and chairman of its Board of Trustees, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 . He was 98.

As an undergraduate, Bissinger served as editor-in-chief of both The Stute and The Link.

After receiving his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1933, Bissinger worked as an instructor in the Chemistry department, studying chemistry and working toward a master’s degree during the day, and attending Fordham Law School at night. He earned his Master of Science degree from Stevens in 1936 and his law degree from Fordham in 1938.

Bissinger became a member of Stevens’ Board of Trustees in 1963, and served as its chairman from 1971 to 1983. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Stevens in 1973 and was the recipient of the Stevens Honor Award in 1974.

“Fred Bissinger, during a lifetime of high achievement, continued to give selflessly of his time and resources to his beloved alma mater, Stevens Institute of Technology. He remained active and engaged in the affairs of the university as a student, alumnus, trustee and finally a trustee emeritus for more than 75 years – a remarkable record of devotion to our institution,” said Stevens’ President Harold J. Raveche.

In 1936, Bissinger joined the law firm of Pennie, Davis, Marvin & Edmonds as a patent attorney. He then joined the Industrial Rayon Corporation, where he served in several executive positions, including president. After a merger, Bissinger became group vice president of the Midland-Ross Corporation and later, he served as vice president and director of the Stauffer Chemical Corporation. In 1965, he joined Allied Corporation, retiring as vice chairman in 1976. Following his retirement, he served as counsel to Pennie & Edmonds.

Bissinger held directorships with the National Association of Manufacturers, Midland National Bank, Otis Elevator Company, Societe De Chimie Industrielle, Walater Power Corporation and the Selas Corporation of America . In addition, he served as a trustee and member of the executive committee for Fordham University , as a trustee of the Foundation of the University of Dentistry and Medicine of New Jersey and as a member of the New York State Economic Development Board.

He was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, the New York Academy of Sciences and the executive committee of the American Section of the Society of Chemical Industry. Bissinger also was a member of the Chemists Club, The Economic Club of New York and the Sky Club.

Throughout the years, Bissinger gave generously to the universityand supported Stevens through regular contributions, including a major donation to renovate the Bissinger Room, located in Stevens’ Wesley J. Howe Center .

Bissinger was married to Julia Stork Bissinger, who died in 1989. He is survived by his second wife, Barbara Simmonds Bissinger; a daughter, Elizabeth J. Vianna; a son, Frederick L. Bissinger, Jr.; and several grandchildren.

About Stevens Institute of Technology

Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.

Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.  

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