Fred Risdon Studer

Fred Risdon Studer, 85, died Sunday morning at VNA Hospice of Scranton. His wife of 60 years, Jane Y. Studer, died in 2010.

Born in Madison, Wisc., Fred was the only child of Frank J. Studer and Dorothy Rickard Studer. He grew up in Schenectady, N.Y., and lived most of his adult life in Clarks Summit, most recently at Clarks Summit Senior Living. He was a Navy veteran and held degrees in physics and metallurgic engineering from Cornell University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He worked briefly at Dupont Research Lab and spent 38 years as a metallurgic engineer with Daystrom/Weston/Loral in Archbald.

Fred was a passionate spokesman for conservation, the environment and the importance of intelligent scientific inquiry.

He devoted hours of volunteer work to the Nature Conservancy, the Lackawac Sanctuary board, the Woodbourne Stewardship Committee, and the Delaware Valley Raptor Center. His frequent letters to the editor of The Scranton Times, often on the environment or global warming, had a loyal following.

The touchstone of his adult life was the stewardship of Randall Lake, the pristine Glacial Lake, and surrounding watershed in Northern Wayne County, which he and Jane cherished and protected throughout the years of their marriage. It was his great comfort to know that he was able to assure the protection of the unique property in the coming years with a conservation easement.

He was an extraordinarily generous individual who delighted in bestowing unexpected and often extravagant gifts upon his friends and neighbors. He devotedly cared for his wife during her long decline with Alzheimer's disease. Through all his challenges he maintained a positive attitude and great sense of humor. He was resourceful, ingenious and full of mischief and never let slip an opportunity to tell a bad joke or recite one of his seemingly endless repertoire of bawdy limericks. His rendition of "Gunga Din" was legendary.

He has no biological survivors but he was loved by many. He leaves a "family" of devoted and caring friends who were privileged to be a part of his life.

Special thanks to the staff of Clarks Summit Senior Living and VNA hospice who were so kind to him. At his request, there will be no public memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, 416 Cummins Hill Road, Milford, PA 18337; or North Branch Land Trust, 11 Carverton Road, Trucksville, PA 18708. Arrangements by the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit.