Northrop, M.D., Mead Fredrick
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2024.
Born on June 8, 1936, in Syracuse, New York, Mead was the son of Adelbert M. Northrop and Nellie Mead Northrop. Mead graduated from Hamilton College and received his medical degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse in 1962. He served two years in the Army before completing his residency in radiation oncology at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1969. Following residency, he was offered a year’s fellowship at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
He began his professional career in academic medicine, teaching at the Medical School at the University of Florida in Gainesville. In 1972, he joined the staff of the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara, eventually becoming its Medical Director.
Mead married the former Elizabeth Callahan at Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University in a ceremony officiated by the bride’s brother in 1959. They celebrated their 65th anniversary this past June.
His leadership ability was recognized both professionally and in the community. He was president of the Santa Barbara County Medical Society and the Cosmopolitan Club. After retirement, he had a “second career” as a member and board chair of the Music Academy of the West. He was also president of the resident council of the Valle Verde Retirement Community.
Mead was a devoted father and wonderful role model for his two sons. He was a Scout Master which involved many memorable backpacking trips and he coached baseball for the Goleta Boys Club.
Mead had a passion for tennis and golf and completed the New York City Marathon in 1986. He took up cooking in 1982, intending to limit his repertoire to bread and soups. However, he soon ventured into French, Indian, Italian, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Mexican and Southwestern U.S cuisines. He was known for his gourmet pizza with crust made from scratch.
Mead is survived by his wife, Betsy; brother Donald, his wife, Peggy and their daughter, Amanda; son Fred, his wife Barbara and their children Andrew and Stephanie; and son Ross, his wife Denni and their children Lindsay and Hudson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Rd., Santa Barbara, 93108 or the United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, P.O. Box 1485, Santa Barbara, 93102