RIT mourns the loss of College of Liberal Arts faculty Franz Foltz

RIT is mourning the loss of Franz Foltz, associate professor in the Department of Science, Technology, and Society and Department of Public Policy, who passed away on April 9 following a brave battle with cancer.

Foltz earned a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1996. Before joining RIT, he worked at the National Science Foundation’s Office of Policy Support, Pennsylvania State University, and Virginia Tech. In 1999, he joined the Department of Science, Technology, and Society in RIT’s College of Liberal Arts, where he taught a wide variety of courses. As the public policy graduate director, he also supervised numerous master’s students.

Foltz coauthored the book Faith, Hope, and Love in the Technological Society, with his father Frederick, in 2018. He also authored numerous articles for the Bulletin of Science, Technology, and Society—for which he served as a longtime contributing editor—as well as other journals. At the time of his death, he also served as the social scientist on a million dollar NSF grant to train high-achieving, low-income students in engineering.

“Professor Foltz has been a tremendously valued member of the College of Liberal Arts community for many years,” said Anna Stenport, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “His commitment to student success, academic program innovation, and public engagement will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Dr. Foltz’s family.”

A funeral service is planned for May 20, and cards to the family may be sent to 264 Vollmer Parkway, Rochester, N.Y. 14623. The RIT flag will be flown at half-staff on May 20 in his memory.