Dr. Reinhard K. Frohlich, age 87 of New Gloucester, passed away at home on July 14th, 2024. Reinhard was born August 11th, 1936 in Cologne, Germany to Johannes and Charlotte Frohlich. During World War II, Reinhard escaped the Russian occupation of East Germany with his parents to live a new life in western Germany. There, he studied geophysics and earned PhDs from both Imperial College in London and the Technical University of Clausthal.
Reinhard met and fell in love with Patricia Nash while in London and they were married. Afterwards, they both traveled back to Germany for Reinhard to continue his studies while working for the Geological Survey. The next chapter of their lives took them to Rolla, Missouri, where Reinhard worked as a professor of geophysics at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. There they began to raise their son, Karl. They then moved to Rhode Island where he worked as a professor at University of Rhode Island until his retirement.
Reinhard was known to be a very kind man who always stopped to smell the roses. His hobbies included nature walks, canoeing, writing, art and traveling throughout Europe and beyond with his beloved wife, Patricia. Reinhard was also a member of the South County Writers Group.
After the passing of Patricia in 2014, Reinhard moved in with his son Karl and family in New Gloucester, Maine. Here, he became a member of the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester and a popular member of the community. He enjoyed spending summer days with family at their Sabbathday Lake Camp. He also spent many Tuesday afternoons with Karen’s mother, Elaine, at Jess-n-Nic’s in Gray where they were known as regulars to many.
He is survived by his son, Karl, Karl’s wife Karen (Becker) and mother-in law, Elaine Becker (Driscoll) along with his late wife, Patricia’s family in Ireland including Louie and Sean O’Mahony, Olive Nash, Maureen Brown and many nieces and nephews. Reinhard is also survived by his two grandchildren, Colin and Charlotte.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at the Fortin Group, 217 Turner Street, Auburn, Maine. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. followed by a celebration of life at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the New Gloucester Food Pantry at the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester, Maine.
