On Monday, August 12, 2019, Frederick R. Black, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 88. Fred leaves his wife, Doris, after 59 fulfilling years of marriage. He also leaves daughters Cathy Black-Benson, Leslie Black-Plumeau, son-in-law Peter and grandchildren Nick and Kaleigh Plumeau. Growing up in Princeton, New Jersey, Fred's intellectual curiosity led him early on to what would become a life-long devotion to American history, first at Trenton State Teachers College where he met Doris and later at Rutgers University where he earned a Ph.D. Fred was a revered history professor at Temple University, University of Arizona, Mount Holyoke College and C.W. Post (Long Island University). He also conducted research for the U.S. National Parks Service, at various sites in the Northeast, including Fort Wadsworth and the Charlestown Navy Yard. After retirement, Fred continued his historical inquiries, including researching colonial Northport, the First Presbyterian Church of Northport and most recently, Joshua Hartt, a Long Island minister during the colonial period. Fred also served in the U.S. Army in Japan shortly after the Korean War. According to Fred, "the Army sent over the least suspicious man they could find--me." Fred's favorite way to spend leisure time was with his family, either at home in Northport or on summer vacations at Block Island and Montauk. He also experienced the ups and downs of being a New York Giants and Yankees fan, letting out an occasional "Holy Mackerel-Andy" or "good grief" while watching games. Fred and Doris were in Ormond Beach, Florida, when he became ill with pneumonia. A celebration of Fred's life will be held at Nolan Funeral Home in Northport on Saturday, August 17, from 11am to Noon with a prayer service at Noon with burial to follow at Northport Rural Cemetery..