Edward Fadell

Edward R. "Ed" Fadell passed away on Jan. 11, 2018. He was born on March 8, 1926 in Niagara Falls, N.Y., the son of Olga Sorour Fadell and Chickri Nasser Fadell, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 1924. He graduated from both Niagara Falls High School and Trott Vocational School (as valedictorian) in 1944. After 4 years majoring in Mathematics and Classical Languages at the University of Buffalo, he was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa and graduated (magna cum laude) in 1948. Music also played an important part of his early education, playing clarinet in school bands and orchestras and singing tenor in school and church choirs.

Ed completed his MA in 1950 and Ph.D in 1952 in Mathematics at Ohio State University. During the last year of his graduate work, he met the love of his life, his late wife Pat (Patricia Lou Eiselt) and they were married during his three-year Post Doc at Harvard University as a Benjamin Peirce Instructor. Ed then joined the Mathematics Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a tenured Associate Professor in four years, won the Emil H. Steiger Teaching Award, and was promoted to Full Professor in 1962. During his academic career, which lasted over 40 years, he wrote over 60 research papers, 2 books, and always loved to teach both undergraduate and graduate courses. His main area of expertise was Algebraic Topology and he was internationally known for his work in Fixed Point Theory and the application of algebraic topological methods to Applied Mathematics. Twenty-two graduate students completed their Ph.D's under his guidance. He became Professor Emeritus in 1994 but continued to teach classes for 5 more years.

Ed always found time to continue his interest in music. He sang tenor with the Madison Philharmonic Chorus for over 25 years. In particular, people will remember his singing of "Kalinka" and the "Cherry Tree Carol" at the Tudor Dinners. He also sang several minor tenor roles in Madison Opera productions and highlighted his opera experience by singing the leading role of the stuttering tenor Vasek in Smetana's The Bartered Bride.

Ed was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. In addition to his mathematics and music, he was an avid sports fan, was actively engaged in his community, enjoyed playing softball and golf, and was a master at the grill and in the kitchen. Ed is survived by his brother Albert, daughter Elizabeth, son Richard, daughter-in-law Julie Reilly and three grandchildren, Ryan, Max and Norah.

Private family services were held in Madison at Resurrection Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all those who helped care for Ed during his last years. Donations may be sent in his honor to the Madison Opera.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434