Frederick Sudermann

My deepest sympathy for your loss. Fred had touched many lives and will be missed by many. My apologies for this late message as I was traveling when Fred passed and only found out after returning to Wichita. Our thougths and prayers are with you Jane. Steve Clark

Fred Sudermann Remembered, by Bill Wentz Fred Sudermann was a visionary and a champion for Wichita State University. Because he saw his role as an advisor and facilitator to university leaders, most persons are not aware of the impact he had in the development of WSU as a research university. The research activity at Wichita State University began a dramatic step forward when President Clark Ahlberg appointed Fred Sudermann as director of the newly established research office in the late 1960s. Fred served in many roles at WSU. He once told me that every position he held at WSU was newly established, so he never had any precedents to follow. In every role, he was behind the scenes, advising university presidents, deans, program directors and coordinating with political and industry leaders. While many persons were influential in the establishment of the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University, two persons had really key roles: University President Warren Armstrong and Fred Sudermann. Warren Armstrong used to delight in relating how the National Institute for Aviation Research was conceived during a cab ride in Washington, DC, after he and Fred had visited our senators and congressmen, following the loss of a major federal proposal. Defeat was turned into victory for WSU as the taxicab-born concept grew into what eventually became NIAR. This scenario is classic Fred Sudermann. Fred was an absolute master at establishing contacts with political leaders at local, state and national levels. While always in the background, he always knew precisely whom to contact and when, in order to gain crucial support for the universitys programs. Diplomacy and political astuteness were his hallmarks. Throughout my career at WSU as a faculty researcher, technical director of the Walter Beech Wind Tunnel, an area director of the Institute for Aviation Research, and as Executive Director of the National Institute for Aviation Research, Fred was a person who was consistently supportive. He always had the best interests of the university and the community as his highest priorities. He never placed his personal career gains above the interests of the constituencies he served. The university has lost one of its great leaders, and many of us have lost a good friend and trusted colleague. While his activities were invisible to most persons, dozens of university faculty researchers, hundreds of students on research assistantships and numerous political and industry leaders and research funding agencies owe a debt of gratitude to Fred. His role in growing WSU into a research university with national and international prominence was truly profound and remarkable. Please accept the sincerest sympathy from Marlene and myself to the Sudermann family in your loss. August 12, 2006