John A. Ricketts

John A. Ricketts, 83, Bloomington, former Simeon Smith Professor of Chemistry at DePauw, died Friday.

Born in Lakewood, Ohio, he was the son of Virgil A. and Florence (Magaw) Ricketts. He married Lucille (Reininga) Ricketts in 1948, and she survives.

He attended Indiana University, but his education was interrupted by military service in World War II. He graduated from the university in 1946 and later received his PhD in chemistry from Case Western Reserve University.

Ricketts lectured in visiting scientist programs in high schools throughout the Midwest, but is known locally for his tenure at DePauw from 1952 until his retirement in 1989. At DePauw, he organized summer programs for gifted teachers, published numerous papers on chemistry education and was an active participant of the Indiana Academy of Science.

He was a member of the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Lambda Chi Alpha and the American Contract Bridge League.

Additional survivors include a son, Thomas Ricketts; a daughter, Sally Ricketts; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 3800 E. Third St., Bloomington. Arrangements are being handled by The Cremation Society of Indiana.

Memorials may be made to the St. Thomas Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund or to the John Ricketts prize in Physical Chemistry at DePauw University. The prize was established by Ricketts' former chemistry students at DePauw.