Elbert Kirtley Fretwell (Jr.), known by his friends as "E.K.", lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Dorrie. He had perhaps the most illustrious career of any of the "Fretwell Clan," with the possible exception of his father, who had the same name and nickname.
Ardie and I met E.K. and Dorrie when we drove through North Carolina the summer of 2004. We had dinner and a very nice visit with them, and shared our genealogical interests with E.K. (He and his brother, "Stretch," have avidly pursued their Fretwell lineage for years.) E.K. and Dorrie are now both deceased.
Following is a very brief introduction to E.K.'s career. You can find much more detail by searching his name on "Google."
Born in New York City, E. K. Fretwell Jr. earned a B.A. with distinction at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., M.A.T. at Harvard University, and Ph.D. at Columbia University. He also received an honorary doctorate from the Technical University of Wroclaw (Poland) in 1976. Since, he has received two other honorary degrees: from Wesleyan University and UNC Charlotte.
E.K. became the second chancellor of UNC Charlotte in 1979, and served in that position for 11 years. This appointment following 11 years (1967-1978) as president of the State University College at Buffalo, N.Y.
Prior to that, he served as Dean for Academic Development at the City University of New York (1964-67) and as New York State's Assistant Commissioner for Higher Education (1956-64).
In addition, he taught in the public schools of Brookline, Mass., and Evanston, Ill.; at Columbia University (where he also served as Assistant to the Dean of Teachers College); and at the University of California, Berkeley.
Although retired from UNC Charlotte, he still maintains an office as Chancellor Emeritus. Following his retirement, he served terms as interim president of the University of Massachusetts and of the University of North Florida (1998).
He served as chair of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education (1980-81) and as president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (1978-79).
After World War II, E.K. served American National Red Cross information service (l944-45) and as U.S. Vice Consul in Czechoslovakia (1945-47).
His latest publication is Wise Moves in Hard Times, published by Jossey-Bass Publishers in 1996.
In retirement he continues his public service as a member of the North Carolina Medical Board.
Connect to UNCC to see a nice writeup about E.K.'s years as Chancellor of University of North Carolina, Charlotte.