Almy, Professor Frank Fayette 1866-1932

ALMY, MCREYNOLDS, MARTIN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 2/23/2014 at 08:39:14

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
June 3, 1932

PROFESSOR F.F.
ALMY DIES
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Grinnell College Loses One of the
Strong and Devoted Members
Of Its Faculty
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FUNERAL SATURDAY AT
3 O'CLOCK FROM HOME
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Professor Almy had Been Assoc-
iated with Grinnell College
Since 1893
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Commencement will not be Commencement this year. Professor F.F. Almy will not be here to greet his returning students and friends with that cordial clasp of the hand and that merry twinkle of the eye which have so endeared him to countless college generations.

Death came to that faithful servant of Grinnell College and much loved educator at 12:35 Thursday morning at the community Hospital where he had lingered for a few days following a serious operation which had been the only hope of saving his life. He had been in failing health for over two years but with characteristic determination had persisted in his teaching duties as head of the Physics department up to the very last. He passed his sixty-sixth birthday last January.

Funeral services are to be held from the home at 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon. In recognition of the passing of one who for so many years has exemplified in his life the ideals which animate the institution which he served, the college faculty Thursday afternoon passed a resolution of respect which appears elsewhere in this issue and also voted that all Commencement exercises set for 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon, the hour of his funeral, be postponed one hour. This ruling applies especially to the Hill Contest for Women which will be held at 4 o'clock instead of 3.

Frank Fayette Almy was born in Little Compton, Rhode Island, Jan. 12, 1866, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace M. Almy. When he was one year old the family moved to southern Illinois and in 1879 moved again to a farm near Greencastle, Neb. Here the boy grew to young manhood. He attended the country schools and later the University of Nebraska, where he graduated in 1890. The next year he went to Johns Hopkins University for further study, but in mid-year his father died and he was called home to Nebraska to assume the duties as head of the home devolving upon him as the eldest son.

In the fall of 1891, however, he was able to return to Johns Hopkins to complete a year of study and in the fall of 1892 he was married in Ashland, Neb., to Miss Eva L. McReynolds who has traveled the journey of life ever since by his side. Another year at Johns Hopkins followed and then he was ready to begin his life work in Grinnell, coming to the little college in 1893 as Associate Professor of Physics and in a very few months becoming the head of the Physics Department, a position which he held until his death.

Three children were born to Professor and Mrs. Almy, all of whom survive him, They are Winifred, now Mrs. E.T. Martin of Mitchellville, whose beautiful voice has delighted so many Grinnell audiences, Frank Atwood Almy of Muskegon ,Mich., and Donald Grinnell Almy of Omaha. He is also survived by three brothers, H.M. Almy of Greenwood, Neb., and B.G. and John E. Almy, both of Lincoln, Neb. One sister preceded him in death.

The life which is ended is one which has left an impress for good on the Grinnell community. As a teacher, Professor Almy was devoted and successful. Many of his students, inspired by his encouragement, have risen to high rank in their chosen field. He was a scholar, a gentleman and a useful citizen, who found time amid his scholastic pursuits, to take an active and intelligent interest in the affairs of the community in which he lived.

His life was one which has exercised a beneficial, influence upon many. He has laid down the torch but it will be carried forward by those who have felt the inspiration of his example. He was one of the last of the old guard who made Grinnell College and blessed indeed is the college which has such men to serve it.