George P. Frangedakis

DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. -- George P. Frangedakis, 60, of Dakota Dunes passed away Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2011 at Our Lady Of Grace Chapel on the campus of Briar Cliff University, with the Rev. Craig Collison as celebrant. Immediately following, there will be a gathering of fellowship in St. Francis Center. Interment will be Friday in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present at 6 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

George was born Jan. 28, 1951, in Munich, Germany. He attended Frankfurt American High School in Frankfurt, Germany, then moved to the United States to attend college. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Briar Cliff College.

He met his wife Elizabeth (Beth) Schweers while attending Briar Cliff and they were married at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Sioux City on Nov. 26, 1977. George went on to receive his master's degree in finance from Notre Dame University and completed his education with a PhD ABD from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Most of George's life was spent teaching, learning, and interacting within the Briar Cliff University family. He was a professor in the business department at the University for 30 years and chair of the department for much of that time. As quoted by a student in a letter to the family, "The wisdom he shared each and every day in class was above and beyond what any of us expected to learn." His personal and private lives blended over the years as he welcomed both faculty and students into his home for school functions, holiday parties, and dinners.

George had a new found love of motorcycles and his riding partners in El Grupo. He loved spending time at Camping Elizabeth on Crete in Greece. He enjoyed reading in the library that he built, watching classic movies, playing golf, and listening to jazz.

He is survived by his wife, Beth Frangedakis of Dakota Dunes; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Pamela Frangedakis of Elmwood. Neb.; daughter, Debbie Frangedakis of Chicago; sisters, Elizabeth Frangedakis of Rethymnon, Crete, Greece, Chrisula Kolokouris of Athens, Greece, and Elaine Frangedakis of Chicago.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Pandaleon and Bertha (Petkus) Frangedakis.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the George and Beth Frangedakis Endowed Scholarship at Briar Cliff University.