A former NIU chemistry professor died Monday morning from a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease.

In the 29 years Frederick W. Rolf was an NIU chemistry professor, he was the NIU Chairman of the Athletic Board and received an outstanding service award from the NIU Alumni Association in 1969.

“I think he was a real enthusiastic teacher,” said Ruth Rolf, Rolf’s wife of more than 49 years. “He really enjoyed teaching as opposed to research.”

Born Nov. 11, 1910, in Rock Island, Ill., Rolf attended Rock Island High School and graduated from Rock Island Augustine College in 1932. The Augustine College Alumni Association also gave him an outstanding service award in 1971.

The National Science Foundation gave Rolf a $57,000 grant to teach chemistry to junior high school teachers with limited knowledge of the subject. Rolf received four similar grants for the summer program from 1965 to 1968.

Rolf was a 50-year member of the American Chemistry Society and a part of the Phi Delta Kappa honorary fraternity for educators. He also was on the board of directors of the local Kiwanis club for 12 years.

There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 615 N. First St. The Ronan-Moore Funeral Directors, 310 Oak St., has established a memorial in Rolf’s name.