Fridolin Kummer

Fridolin H. Kummer (Fred), 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2015. Fred was born in Stuetzerbach, Germany to Selma and Max Kummer, on November 4, 1929. In May of 1951 he immigrated to the United States and worked at his uncle’s glass shop until he was drafted into the US Army in September of 1953. While in the service he served 9 months in Greenland. After the army he worked in the scientific glass industry and was married to Sonja Kummer (Ebling) in July of 1957. Fred’s development of scientific apparatus for the analysis of rocks brought back from the moon was instrumental in the Nobel prize winning work of Dr. Raymond Davis Jr. In 1974, he began work in the Chemistry Department of Columbia University where he worked until Columbia closed their glass shop. Technically “retired” in 1994 he continued to service the department until 2014. Fred loved music, dancing with his wife, their travels, skiing and fishing and all times spent with his family- but only after the work was done! Fred is survived by his loving wife, Sonja, their children Heidi (Tom) and Peter (Kathleen) and their 5 grandchildren Kyle, Kristiana, Kieran, Sarah and Thomas. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 21 Robert Treat Parkway, Milford, Ct 06460.