Frederic D. Homer papers, 1949-2010

Frederic Homer (1939-2006) served as a University of Wyoming political science professor from 1974-2006 and as mayor of Laramie, Wyoming, from 2002-2004. He graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in economics and accounting and later served as second lieutenant in the United States Army. He worked for Price Waterhouse for a year and a half. The experience convinced him to pursue a doctorate degree in government at Indiana University.

While teaching classes at Purdue University, Homer wrote his first book, Guns and Garlic: Myths and Realities of Organized Crime. It was recognized by The American Scholar as one of the best social science books of its time. He also authored Character: An Individualistic Theory of Politics, Primo Levi and the Politics of Survival, and Interpretation of Illness.

Homer married his high school sweetheart, Carole Krane, and they had three children. He joined the University of Wyoming in 1974, where he created the Administration of Justice Program and taught courses in political philosophy. He was Advisor of the Year and won the Alumni teaching award in 1990.

In 1981, Homer had quintuple bypass surgery after being ill for some time. This experience led him to write the book Interpretation of Illness. Homer was an outspoken advocate of a public smoking ban, which was introduced and contested during his term as mayor, and a staunch supporter of the Laramie Community Recreation Center. Homer died January 1, 2006, from heart problems at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.