Tarpley came to Georgia Tech in September 1962. He became a full professor and later served as acting dean and associate dean of the fledgling Ivan Allen College of Management, Policy, and International Affairs established in 1990 (now the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and the Scheller College of Business).

The School of Economics granted its first degrees in the early 1970s. Tarpley cared deeply about the welfare of his students and mentored many of them, not only during their years at Tech, but also as they moved into professional careers.

He is remembered fondly by faculty across the College.

"I remember Fred as an amiable and interesting lunch companion,” said John Tone, interim dean of the College and professor in the School of History and Sociology. “When he was associate dean of the Ivan Allen College during Bob Hawkins's time as dean, he joined me and several other faculty members for lunch on a regular basis. I think he liked to call the group the "lunch bunch." We did not talk about work so much as movies, politics, relationships, that sort of thing, with lots of joking around. The camaraderie of that group is something I've rarely experienced. Fred was a good comrade."

Economics Professor Willie Belton said, “Fred hired me in 1987 and he and Danny Boston were responsible for my coming to Georgia Tech. Fred was a wonderful friend and was primarily responsible for the School of Economics becoming and independent unit rather than remaining a part of the College of Management.”

Read more about Tarpley’s life at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/arlington-va/fred-tarpley-8945543