Frederick M. Zorbaugh Papers

Frederick McClure Zorbaugh was born on December 21, 1898 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of the Reverend Charles Louis (1867-1943) and Harriet Cambell Harvey Zorbaugh (1865-1947). After graduating (AB 1925) from Oberlin College, Mr. Zorbaugh moved to Chicago, Illinois where he was employed as a social worker at the Child Guidance Clinic and as a probation officer with the Cook County Juvenile Court (1925-27). Concurrently, having won a fellowship from the University of Chicago where he was also engaged in graduate work, he undertook social research into the behavior patterns of boys. His special research focus was on male juvenile delinquency.  Then, as a research sociologist for the Behavior Research Fund, he worked with the Illinois Institute of Juvenile Research by participating in a study of delinquency using materials from the courts in Denver, Colorado and Los Angeles, California. He also worked on the parole program of the Industrial School for Boys at St. Charles, Illinois (1916-29).

From 1930-42, Frederick Zorbaugh served Oberlin College as an assistant professor of sociology. During the period 1936-39, he pursued graduate studies at New York University where he also participated in clinical work. In 1939, he received the Ph.D. degree and was elected to Alpha Kappa Delta, the national honorary sociology fraternity.

In 1943, Professor Zorbaugh enlisted in the United States Navy where he became the executive director of the ground school at Livermore Air Base in northern California.  He held the rank of lieutenant commander. Later he instructed officers at the Great Lakes Naval Base, North Chicago, Illinois, in how to carry through the demobilization processes.  After the war, he accepted the post of professor of sociology at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida (1946-56). He also served as department head. In 1956, poor health forced him to retire.

On April 3, 1926, Frederick McClure Zorbaugh married Marion Parker (1902-1987, A.B. 1924).  The couple had two children: Charles Parker (1931-2012) and Joan Zorbaugh Alley Kippert (1935-2016). Professor Zorbaugh died on January 2, 1959 in Guadalajara, Mexico where he and Mrs. Zorbaugh had lived in retirement. Mrs. Zorbaugh died on October 13, 1987 in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Sources Consulted

“Dr. Zorbaugh Dies AT 60 in Mexico.” Miami, Florida Herald.  January 9, 1959. n.p.

“Dr. Zorbaugh Dies At 60; Once at U-M.” Miami, Florida News. January 8, 1959.  n.p.

“Frederick Zorbaugh Dies of Heart Attack.”  Oberlin News-Tribune.  February 5, 1959. n.p.

Millman, Sandy Keith.  “Sociologist Devoted Life to Delinquents’ Problems.” Miami, Florida, News.  November 27, 1949. n.p.

Oberlin College Alumni Magazine.  May, 1959. n.p.

Zorbaugh, Dr. Harvey W. Oberlin College Biographical Form. 1959.

Note written by Elizabeth Brinkman.