In Memoriam: Fred Sias Jr.

ECE Florida is saddened to learn of the passing of esteemed alumnus Dr. Fred Sias, Jr. (BSEE ’54 MSEE ’59).

From the obituary:

Frederick Ralph Sias, Jr., 90, of Clemson, SC, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2022 at Cottingham House in Seneca, SC. Fred, who was known as “Tommy” to his family of origin, was born in Jacksonville, FL on August 17, 1931. He spent much of his childhood in Massachusetts, moved several times as he completed his education and started his career, and eventually settled down with his family in Clemson, where he lived for nearly 50 years.

Fred Sias’ connection with ECE Florida is a deep one—his father, Ralph Sias, graduated from the University of Florida in 1928 with a Bachelor’’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Ralph went on to register 18 patents in his name, including some vital to the war effort during World War II.

Fred visited ECE Florida in April of 2018, meeting a number of Senior Design students while touring the NEB. He also had the chance of speaking to a number of recipients of the scholarship fund created in his father’s name, the Ralph Sias Scholarship Fund.

Learn more about Fred Sias and his family’s legacy here.