Obituary of Frederick Purnell, Jr.

Frederick Purnell, Jr., of Darien, CT, died November 29, 2005 at Stamford Hospital. Born on March 17, 1945 in Northampton, MA, he was the son of the late Frederick Purnell, Sr. and Bernice Smith Purnell. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University, where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He then earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Columbia University. He was a Woodrow Wilson Scholar and a Fullbright Fellow to Italy in 1968. He had been an avid birdwatcher and was active in the CT Audubon Society and the CT Ornithological Association. He was a dedicated Professor at Queens College, NY, where he taught Philosophy for 35 years. He served as chairman of the Philosophy Department for 11 years, was a member of the Academic Senate, served as Associate Provost, Chairman of the Internal Review Board, and in many other aspects on campus. He was also on the faculty of the Graduate Center of the City University of New York for many years. He is survived by his wife, Susan Bodwell Purnell; two daughters, Stephanie Purnell McDonald of Marstons Mills, MA and Emily Ruth Purnell of Tucson, AZ and his brother Jon R. Purnell, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan. There will be a memorial service in Norwood, MA at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to Queens College Scholarship Fund, Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820 Visitation: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820