A memorial service for Robert E. “Bob” Frederick, 69, Lawrence, will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Lied Center on Kansas University’s West Campus. Casual attire is welcome. Private inurnment will be at a later date.
Mr. Frederick died Friday, June 12, 2009, at Kansas University Hospital in Kansas City, Kan.
He was born March 4, 1940, in St. Louis, the son of Charles R. and Nellie Hinchman Frederick.
He graduated from KU in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He later received his master’s in education from KU in 1964 and his doctorate in education from KU in 1984.
Since 2001, Mr. Frederick was an assistant professor and lecturer in sports management at KU. He was former athletic director at KU from 1987 to 2001. He presided over many facility enhancements, the upgrading of most of the athletic programs, the hiring of successful coaches including Roy Williams, and the increase in funding of athletic programs. During his tenure, he hired head coaches in eight Olympic sports and saw his teams go to two Aloha Bowl Championships, three basketball Final Fours, including a National Championship in 1988, as well as a College Baseball World Series and a College Women’s Softball World Series. He developed a comprehensive personal support program for student athletes. Earlier, he was the assistant athletic director, and executive director of the Williams Educational Fund at KU from 1981 to 1985.
During his coaching career, he served as a head basketball coach at Russell High School, 1966-70; Coffeyville Junior College, 1970-71; and Lawrence High School, 1977-81. He served as an assistant basketball coach at Olympia Fields, Ill., 1964-66; KU, 1971-72; Brigham Young University, 1972-75; and Stanford University, 1975-77.
He was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church. He served on the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Board of Directors and was a member of the Friends of the Lied Series, 1991-96, president, 1991-94; Kansas Special Olympics Advisory Board; Big Brothers, Big Sisters Advisory Board; Sunflower State Games; Board of Directors and Kansas spokesperson for Bicycle Helmet Safety; Kansas Safe Kids Coalition; and Character Counts Sports. He served on various other boards and committees.
His professional organization memberships included NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct, 1997-2002, chair 2000-02; NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee 1992-97, chair 1995-97; special NCAA Television Committee 1995-96; NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics; Division IA Athletic Directors, Executive Committee; USA Basketball, Select Team Committee; Coaches vs. Cancer Council, Board of Directors; National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics; and American Football Coaches Association.
His awards and honors include NIT Distinguished Service Award (2001), NABC Cliff Wells Appreciation Award (1997) for Outstanding Contributions to College Basketball, Buford M. Watson Public Service Award, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce (1997), and NIT Man of the Year Award (1996).
He married Margaret “Margey” Wallett on May 20, 1972, at Danforth Chapel. She survives, of the home.
Other survivors include four sons, Brian, Washington, D.C., Brad and wife Jocelyn, of Brentwood, Tenn., Mark, Denver, and Christopher, Lawrence; a grandson, Benjamin; a sister, Susan; and a nephew, Bob Schrepel, Pratt.
The family suggests memorials to the Robert E. Frederick Memorial Fund, sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Frederick.

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