Dr. Franklyn Dewayne Ott, 75, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2011.
Professor Ott was born August 29th, 1935, in Front Royal, VA. He was the son of Elwood and Helen Viola (Nee Sumption) Ott. His father died when he was four years old. He was a graduate of Clifton Forge High School in Virginia and later received an Associate Degree of Arts from Ferrum Junior College in 1957 and a joint Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Chemistry from Lynchburg College in 1964. Dr. Ott earned a Doctorate Degree from the University of Kansas in 1970.
Dr. Ott was a member and later appointed as instructor of the National Camping School of the Boy Scouts of America.
During his long career he worked at several universities and research institutes, including the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (part of the College of William & Mary); the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts; Memphis State University; and Texas A&M University.
Professor Ott had a passion for algae, particularly the red algae. He published numerous articles and at least one monograph on the red algae. Even after his retirement he continued his research from a laboratory in his home. Earlier this year he finished editing another monograph related to algae.
Professor Ott married Dr. Aleta Jo Petrik in 1970 in Beatrice, NE. She preceded him in death on August 13, 2009. Survivors include friends, Donna and Nicholas Calabrese, Topeka; Dorothy and Merle Gile, Las Vegas, NV; Judy and Jon Getz and Sally Haines, Lawrence; his late wife’s parents, Leo and Elizabeth Petrik, Topeka; and cousins in Virginia.
A private burial will take place at the Caldwell Cemetery, Caldwell, KS. Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, Topeka, is assisting with the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Phycological Society of America Endowment, 3307 3rd Avenue West, Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98119-1950. To leave a special message online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.
This information was provided to the Journal-World as a paid tribute.
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