College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom
In Memoriam: Albert Fratini, professor emeritus of chemistry
By Shannon Miller
Albert “Al” Fratini, professor emeritus of chemistry, former chemistry department chair and crystallography researcher, died Jan. 21, at 86.
Fratini joined the UD Department of Chemistry in 1967, taught physical chemistry for 43 years and served as department chair from 1992-99. After retiring from teaching in 2010, he continued his research as professor emeritus. His research interests included x-ray diffraction methods applied to solution of macromolecular structures; protein crystal growth and protein crystallography; structure and morphology of crystalline and semi-crystalline polymers; computational and molecular modeling; and DNA structure.
In addition to his teaching and research, Fratini advised over 130 chemistry majors, participated on multiple University committees and served three years as the University marshal for graduation. His last sabbatical was at Procter & Gamble pharmaceuticals’ health care research center in Mason, Ohio.
“The Department of Chemistry joins others in expressing our deepest condolences on the passing of our former colleague Al,” said chemistry department chair Garry Crosson. “Having worked with Al for a short time and spoken with department and University colleagues alike, we all remember Al as one of the kindest people we’d ever want to meet.”
The son of immigrant parents from Italy, Fratini was raised in Hamden, Connecticut. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1960, a doctorate in chemistry from Yale University in 1965 and spent two years in post-doctoral research at the National Academy of Science-Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. He met his wife, Nancy, in Washington, D.C., and after marrying in 1967, they moved to Dayton where he joined the UD faculty.
According to his obituary, Fratini was a member of St. Albert the Great parish and deeply rooted in his Catholic faith. He was a gifted musician and shared his violin talents at church for decades. He was a longtime member of the Sons of Italy and enjoyed bocce on Monday nights in the summer. He cherished his family and made many trips back to Italy to stay connected to Italian relatives. He loved gardening and was an avid grower of tomatoes, grapes and vegetables.
He was enthusiastic about sports, including playing softball and golf, listening to Reds baseball and watching Flyer basketball. He also enjoyed card games with loved ones.
“Never one to turn down an opportunity to help, we remember Al, in part, for his generosity, kindness, and great stories of which many of us were blessed to hear about around the lunch table,” Crosson said. “He left an indelible mark on those of us who had the chance to know him at UD and he will live on in our memories.”