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Tage P. Frid

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Tage P. Frid

Birth
Copenhagen, Kobenhavns Kommune, Hovedstaden, Denmark
Death
4 May 2004 (aged 88)
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island, USA
Burial
Burial Details Unknown Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Tage Frid

NEWPORT, R.I.-Tage P. Frid, 88, of Newport, died Tuesday, May 4, 2004, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Tage Frid

He was the husband of Emma (Jacobsen) Frid.

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 30, 1915, he was the son of Albert L. and Camilla (Mortensen) Frid.

Known as the "Dean of American Woodworking" at the time of his retirement, he was known best as a teacher of aspiring furniture designers and woodworkers. He received his education as a journeyman by Master Craftsman Gronlund Jensen in 1934 with additional degree work at Vedins School and the Graduate School for interior design both in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He dedicated the bulk of his 50-year career to teaching and lecturing. He began his career as a journeyman in Denmark and Iceland before immigrating to the United States in 1948. He served as a faculty member of the School for American Craftsmen first at Alfred University and then at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

In 1962, he became a Professor and Department Head of the Woodworking and Design Program at Rhode Island School of Design and ended his career in the late eighties as a Professor Emeritus.

In addition, to his work as a teacher, he was a recognized leader in his field with several of his pieces in the permanent collections of the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design. He also served as a consultant to Mystic Seaport Museum, the International Mint and Rhode Island Hospital Trust. He was a co-founder of several craft related businesses, most notably Shop One in Rochester, New York, the first craft shop owned and operated by craftsmen.

He was a contributing editor to Fine Woodworking from 1975 until his death and wrote a three volume set entitled "Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking." His work is seen in many books on contemporary woodworking.

Throughout his career, he received several honors, including an Honorary Doctorate for Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Governor?s Award in 1992, a Fellow for Distinguished Achievement in the Crafts from the American Crafts Council and 2001 a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Furniture Society.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Emma (Jacobsen) Frid of Middletown, R.I.; two children, Ann Randall of Middletown, and Peter A. Frid of Madbury, N.H.; six grandsons, Oliver Frid of Denton, Texas, Erik Frid of Madbury, Luke Randall of Saunderstown, R.I., Benjamin Randall and Jesse Randall, both of Newport; and four great-grandchildren.

He was the grandfather of the late Nicholas Frid and the brother of the late Else Hansen and Polly Davidsson.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship has been established in his name at Rhode Island School of Design. Donations can be sent to RISD Development Office, 2 College Street, Providence, RI 02903.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Burial will be private.

Tage Frid

NEWPORT, R.I.-Tage P. Frid, 88, of Newport, died Tuesday, May 4, 2004, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Tage Frid

He was the husband of Emma (Jacobsen) Frid.

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on May 30, 1915, he was the son of Albert L. and Camilla (Mortensen) Frid.

Known as the "Dean of American Woodworking" at the time of his retirement, he was known best as a teacher of aspiring furniture designers and woodworkers. He received his education as a journeyman by Master Craftsman Gronlund Jensen in 1934 with additional degree work at Vedins School and the Graduate School for interior design both in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He dedicated the bulk of his 50-year career to teaching and lecturing. He began his career as a journeyman in Denmark and Iceland before immigrating to the United States in 1948. He served as a faculty member of the School for American Craftsmen first at Alfred University and then at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

In 1962, he became a Professor and Department Head of the Woodworking and Design Program at Rhode Island School of Design and ended his career in the late eighties as a Professor Emeritus.

In addition, to his work as a teacher, he was a recognized leader in his field with several of his pieces in the permanent collections of the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design. He also served as a consultant to Mystic Seaport Museum, the International Mint and Rhode Island Hospital Trust. He was a co-founder of several craft related businesses, most notably Shop One in Rochester, New York, the first craft shop owned and operated by craftsmen.

He was a contributing editor to Fine Woodworking from 1975 until his death and wrote a three volume set entitled "Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking." His work is seen in many books on contemporary woodworking.

Throughout his career, he received several honors, including an Honorary Doctorate for Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Governor?s Award in 1992, a Fellow for Distinguished Achievement in the Crafts from the American Crafts Council and 2001 a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Furniture Society.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Emma (Jacobsen) Frid of Middletown, R.I.; two children, Ann Randall of Middletown, and Peter A. Frid of Madbury, N.H.; six grandsons, Oliver Frid of Denton, Texas, Erik Frid of Madbury, Luke Randall of Saunderstown, R.I., Benjamin Randall and Jesse Randall, both of Newport; and four great-grandchildren.

He was the grandfather of the late Nicholas Frid and the brother of the late Else Hansen and Polly Davidsson.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship has been established in his name at Rhode Island School of Design. Donations can be sent to RISD Development Office, 2 College Street, Providence, RI 02903.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Burial will be private.


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