Death of Professor Emeritus Matthew Fairbanks, Ph.D.

The following is a note to the University community from the Office of the Provost.

Dear Members of the University Community,

I am saddened to inform you of the passing of University of Scranton Professor Emeritus Matthew J. Fairbanks, Ph.D., who taught for more than 45 years in the Philosophy Department. He died on Sunday at the age of 85.

Dr. Fairbanks taught at the University from 1960 to 2007. During his time at Scranton, he served as chair of the Philosophy Department and as director of the University’s Honors Program, as well as on other committees. He published numerous articles and scholarly reviews about American, English and scientific philosophy, and lectured internationally on these topics.

Dr. Fairbanks earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Loyola University Chicago and his Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

Dr. Fairbanks is survived by his partner, Janet Loewe; his son, Michael Fairbanks ’79, H’06, and his wife Marylee; his daughter Lauren Jagernauth ’81, and her husband, Madan; and three grandsons. Michael Fairbanks is a former Trustee of the University.

His family plans to have a celebration of his life on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Electric City Ballroom at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center on Adams Avenue.

The full obituary for Dr. Fairbanks can be seen here. 

Sincerely,

Jeff Gingerich