Fred Demarest
Frederic A. “Fred” Demarest, Jr., 92, of Syracuse, died Tuesday, August 15, 2017, in the Francis House, following an extended illness.
He began teaching photography at Syracuse University before the beginning of the Newhouse School. At Newhouse, Fred designed the photojournalism and photo illustration undergraduate majors and our master’s degree in communications photography. He brought those programs to national prominence. In 1962, Fred responded to a request from the Chief of Naval Information to create a photojournalism program for Navy photographers. Our first military class graduated in 1963 and the program has since grown to include members from all our military services. The military photojournalism program continues at Newhouse to this very day.
Demarest positively influenced the lives of so many of his students and colleagues over his long career at Newhouse. His wisdom, kindness and extraordinary sense of humor will be missed.
Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, on May 6, 1925, he was the son of Frederic A. and Emily Parks Demarest, Sr. A resident of Syracuse for the past sixty-one years, Fred received his bachelor of arts and his masters of arts degrees from Ohio University. He served with the United States Air Force during the Korean War era.
Prior to his retirement in 1990, with thirty-four years of service, Fred was the Professor of Photojournalism at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. He began his career at Syracuse before the establishment of Newhouse, where he designed photojournalism and photo illustration, bringing the programs to national prominence. In 1962, Mr. Demarest responded to a request from the Chief of Naval Information to create a photojournalism program for the Navy, which has expanded to all branches of the military. His career at Syracuse influenced the lives of so many students and colleagues.
He was member and past elder of the former First Presbyterian Church United.
Surviving are two nieces, Joan Louise Donavan of Durham, NC and Mary Lois Vaughan of Indiana; five nephews, James B. Demarest of Oneida, Frederick R. Demarest of Baton Rouge, LA, John Allen Demarest of Austin, TX, Philip Yant of Brussels, Belgium and Richard D. Yant of Kenilworth, Illinois; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Lois Yant and a brother, L. Burdette Demarest.
Funeral services were held Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main Street, Oneida, with the Reverend Stuart Wattles, officiating. Interment will be made in Valley View Cemetery.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.campbell-dean.com
CAMPBELL-DEAN
FUNERAL HOME, INC. Oneida