Fredric Scott London – 50th Reunion Essay

Fredric Scott London

Date of Death: 29-Jul-2011

College: Calhoun

(This memorial, written by Gary Fauth, Steve Herseth, and Don Weigandt, was submitted by Louise London to the September/October 2012 Class Notes.)

Frederic London passed away on July 29, 2011, after a long illness that he endured with extraordinary grace. Fred leaves his wife Louise and adult children Scott and Laura. At Yale, Fred was known to all the residents of Lawrance Hall, his freshman dorm, and Calhoun, his residential college, as a friendly midwesterner, who had arrived at Yale through Phillips Andover Academy. A lifelong student of history, he majored in the subject at Yale, and had a prodigious memory for facts and theories. He minored, with many of his friends in Calhoun, in bridge and hearts.

After graduation, Fred found his way to law practice via Rutgers Law School, specializing in maritime law with Kirlin, Campbell & Keating for several years. He then left private practice to become in-house counsel with a shipping firm, ultimately rising to the office of general counsel of OMI, an oil shipping firm. He retired when the firm was sold in 2007 in a transaction that required his able guidance. In the interim, Fred became one of the world’s most knowledgeable shipping attorneys, handling numerous purchases and sales of very large ships around the world. He assumed the presidency of the Yale Club of New York for a period, guiding it through very challenging times during the 1990s, from which the club emerged more financially stable. He also continued his lifelong pursuit of tennis perfection, both in regular games at Forest Hills, and at clubs in Greenwich.

Fred was an eminent counselor, accomplished tennis player, aspiring golfer, great friend, and wonderful family man. And, despite his terrible illness the last few years, he never lost his gentle character or kindness toward others. He was devoted to his family, colleagues, and friends, and to Yale. Ever the optimist, he would tell you that he always had the best seats for the game—even on the icy rooftop at Harvard—and he began each football season with an analysis of how the Yale team could win the Ivy championship. He introduced many of his friends’ kids to college football at the Bowl, and, with Louise, was always a wonderful host. Fred loved to travel with Louise. It was always a treat for his friends when he would drop in to visit on his way home from one of his many international destinations.

At the memorial service, held in Dwight Chapel, the site of his wedding to Louise many years ago, there was a tremendous outpouring for Fred. Louise insisted that we celebrate his life rather than grieve his passing. And the service ably accomplished that. There were words from his roommates, work colleagues, and tennis buddies. All gave us the chance to laugh again at the memories, reminding us of the good times, at Yale, Greenwich, on the courts, and on his many travels around the country. Fred relished our days in New Haven so long ago and unlike most of us found a way to live close enough to stay connected to Yale (at least to Yale football!), by settling in Greenwich. It’s indeed sad that we could not have enjoyed his company longer. But, he lived life well and made those around him better—something we should all strive to emulate.