Peter E. Frankenburg

Nov 10, 1926 -

Sep 12, 2025

Peter E. Frankenburg, 98, formerly of Wilmington, Del., passed away on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, where he has lived for the past 14 years. Born in Ludwigshafen, Germany, he was the son of the late Elizabeth Goetz Frankenburg and Walter G. Frankenburg. Peter emigrated to the United States with his parents and brother, the late William K. Frankenburg, in March 1939. After graduating from Millersville, Penn., high school in 1944, Peter attended Princeton University, receiving his B.S. in chemistry in 1949, though his time at Princeton was interrupted by World War II. Peter enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1945, and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers, serving in the South Pacific, from 1946 to 1947. Peter's service in the Army was one of his proudest achievements. After graduating from college, Peter attended the University of Rochester, N.Y., where he received his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1953. Upon graduation, Peter began work at the duPont Company in Wilmington, in the Pioneer Lab at the Experimental Station researching textile fibers. Peter, along with A.H. Frazier, hold the patent on a class of nitrogen containing polymers, elastic products, and spun fibers derived from these polymers, e.g. "Lycra Spandex." He also worked on processes with Kevlar, Teffair and Teflon fibers during his 49-year career at duPont, and holds several additional patents: Hydraulically entangled PTFE/glass filter felt (Dec. 13, 1985); Foundry workers' protective garment (Oct. 3, 1983); Filter of poly (tetrafluoroethylene) and glass fibers (May 20, 1981).

Peter married the late Margaret Easton Pray on June 26, 1954. Peter and Peggy resided in Wilmington for 50 years, where they raised their family. Peter was active in the Second Baptist Church, serving on the Board of Trustees; a charter founder of the Lane Swim Club; president of the Oak Lane Manor Civic Association (1960); President of the Springer Junior High School PTA (1979); President of the Wilmington Ski Club (1954); Chairman of the Republican District (New Castle County) from 1968 to 1976; active in the Purple Spots wine club; on the wine committee at the University and Whist Club; and served on the Delaware State Personnel Commission from 1983-1986.

Peter was an avid skier and sailor. He skied with his children and grandchildren until he was 83 years old, and is famous for winning the club championship at the New Castle County Sailing Club for many years with his children as his crew. In his later years, after his wife Peggy passed away, Peter moved to Anchorage, to live with his daughter, Amy and her family, where he built a new community of friends as he continued to travel to the Lower 48 well into his 90s, to visit his other children and grandchildren. In July 2025, all of his children and grandchildren accompanied him to Otter Cove in Homer, Alaska, for a family reunion and the wedding of his granddaughter, Easton. He was spry enough to dance with his granddaughter.

Peter is survived by his children, Victoria, Jeffrey (Mary Ann), Amy (Rob) and Elizabeth (Greg); and grandchildren, Easton (David), Marnie (Daniel), Peter, Jeffrey, Robyn, Nolan and Madeline.

A memorial service for Peter was held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at 11 a.m. A celebration of Peter's life will be held in Anchorage, at the home of Amy's family at 2 p.m., on Dec. 28, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest a donation to your local SPCA or animal rescue organization.