FROHRING, PAUL R.

FROHING, PAUL R., (2 Aug. 1903-14 Jan. 1998), was a pioneer in nutritional research who helped develop infant formula and antibiotics and became a well known philanthropist. He was born in Cleveland to William E. Frohring, a locomotive engineer, and Martha L. (Bliss) Frohring. Frohring graduated from EAST TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL in 1922, received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Case School of Applied Science in 1926, and did post-graduate work at WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY.

Frohring and his older brother, William, did groundbreaking laboratory work at the Laboratory Products Co. in Cleveland that produced the first ready-prepared infant formula. The company changed its name to SMA Corp., which stood for Scientific Milk Adaptation. Frohring was responsible for marketing SMA's infant formula through the medical profession and became the company's president in 1942. Subsequently, Frohring founded and headed numerous other research and development companies, including Eff Laboratories, which opened a manufacturing plant in Chagrin Falls for the first large scale biochemical production of carotene. He also was the founder and president of General Biochemicals, Inc. in Chagrin Falls, which produced the first commercial penicillin. This firm later merged with American Home Products. Frohring donated a 176 acre preserve to Bainbridge Township in 1996 and was also Hiram College's largest benefactor. He served on the Board of Hiram College and was honored with Case Alumni Association Gold Medal Award for his pioneering work in biochemistry.

Frohring married Maxine Prince in 1941 and had two children, Martha and Paula. Frohring died from complications of a stroke and is buried in Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Chagrin Falls, OH.


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