SCOTT, Ralph A.

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, May 28, 2014 Ralph A. Scott was born July 23, 1930 to Hazel Llewellyn Scott and Ralph A. Scott, who were from Illinois pioneering families (Philip Scott, William Llewellyn, and Dr. Jasper Hill). After graduating from Sterling High School, Ralph was awarded a four-year scholarship, won by competitive examinations, to the University of Illinois at Urbana. After receiving his BS degree in 1952, Ralph attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman under Oklahoma Academy of Science and Atomic Energy Commission Fellowships. Ralph earned his Master’s of Science degree in 1953. He was awarded three simultaneous fellowships to Texas A&M University from Texas Academy of Science, Atomic Energy Commission, and Texas Academy of Science. Ralph graduated with a Ph.D. degree in 1957. Post doctoral training included Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies and Neutron Activation Analysis of chimpanzee tissue at General Dynamics in San Diego, Calif. His academic training was in plant physiology, organic chemistry and nuclear physics. Ralph was successful in finding male sterile pansy plants used to decrease the cost of breeding. He discovered the cause of acromanis in cotton plants and corrected the condition by foliar application of choline chloride or urea. Ralph tested laboratory top materials that do not retain radioisotope materials. Those top materials are now standard in all federal laboratories. The American Institute of Chemists awarded Ralph the title of Fellow based on this research. He directed multi-disciplinary laboratories for Public Health Service in Washington, D.C. He then directed the Nationwide Aquatic Plant Control Program in the Office of Chief of Engineers. The United States Patent Office awarded Ralph a patent for laser control of aquatic plants. He was the chief Physical Scientist for the Secretary of Defense’s Explosives Safety Board for 19 years. Ralph safety-surveyed all Defense Department facilities. The first safety standards were critiqued by each of the military services and then published as DOD 504408-STD in July of 1984. Ralph published the methodology for chemical hazard prediction. He was a member of Lambda Tau, Medical Technology Society, Phi Sigma, honorary biological Science Society and Sigma Xi Scientific Honorary. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Kathryn (Katie) Hartman Scott; their children Craig Philip Scott (Peoria, Ariz.) and Susan Irene (Eric) Bang (Reno, Nev.) and their grandchildren Jason, Evan and Jennifer Bang; and great-granddaughter Kaydence Bang. Ralph was an elder in Wickenburg’s First Presbyterian Church, where the funeral was held on Saturday May 17. Along with the many accomplishments, Ralph had a love of traveling, gardening, fishing and playing bridge. Arrangements were handled by David’s Desert Chapel and Funeral Home in Wickenburg.