J. Fred Pfeil

J. Fred Pfeil of Hartford died peacefully on Tuesday, November 29 at Hartford Hospital. A talented and accomplished English professor at Trinity College, Fred was born in Port Allegany, PA on September 21, 1949, the son of Robert K. and the late Harriet M. Herriman Pfeil. He graduated with a BA from Amherst College in 1971 and received an MA in Creative Writing and English from Stanford University in 1973. Fred's first teaching job was aboard a US Destroyer during the Vietnam War, after which he taught at Stanford University, Stephen's College in Missouri, and Oregon State University. He came to Trinity in 1985 where in recognition of his teaching, writing, and service to the university and community, he was promoted to full professor. Fred was a beloved teacher at Trinity, where he taught courses in Creative Writing, English, American Studies, and Film Studies, was Director of Trinity's Creative Writing Program and an initiator of its Film Studies Program. He authored numerous works of fiction, including the 1994 Pushcart Award winning What They Tell You to Forget and Goodman 2020, as well as several books of criticism, including White Guys. Fred?s commitment to the practice of peace and justice were evident in his work as a facilitator and trainer with the Alternatives to Nonviolence Program in Connecticut?s prisons, with the Help Increase the Peace Project in Hartford middle schools, and by his involvement in numerous anti-war and anti-corporatist movements and organizations including VOID, HAFTA, Laura, and Fair Shake. His work towards peace and social justice was recognized with a lifetime achievement award from American Friends Service Committee in 2005. As a teacher/student of Buddhist meditative practice, Fred participated in and led many meditation workshops and hosted a weekly sit at his home. Fred loved life, all parts of it, but he especially loved his community in Hartford, food in large quantities, jazz, film, literature, storytelling, speaking truth to power, and his beloved wife Elli Findly. He is survived by his wife and two step-children, Caroline and Ross, his father and his sister Dawn DougKeiper of Celebration, FL, and myriad grieving friends from around the world. Fred was deeply loved and he will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday December 7 at 5:00, in the Trinity College Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies 149 Lockwood Road, Barre, MA 01005 , the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center 331 Broadway, Cambridge MA 02139 or the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 1004 Meriden CT

J. Fred Pfeil

September 21, 1949 - November 29, 2005