Farmington Obituary: Robert Votaw, 77

Robert Grimm Votaw, died on January 26, 2016, in Farmington, at the age of 77.

Bob was born in St. Louis, MO to Robert Edwards and Velma Grimm Votaw. He spent his childhood and youth in Ladue, MO where he attended Ladue High School and was very active in the Boys Scouts of America. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1954. He received a BA in biology in 1960 from Wesleyan University and a PhD in microbiology from Case Western Reserve University in 1964.

He was a member of the faculty at Case Western until his appointment in 1966 as Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Director of Multidiscipline Laboratories at the soon-to-be built University of Connecticut Health Center. During his tenure with the UConn Health Center, Bob was instrumental in the design of the multidisciplinary labs and the medical school’s first microbiology curriculum. Later he also served as an Assistant Dean of Medicine and led the development of the school’s first computer-based education program.

After retiring from UConn, Bob was an alternate energy project developer. An excellent researcher and teacher, avid outdoorsman, gardener, gourmet cook, gun enthusiast and historic preservationist, Bob lived for more than 35 years in Farmington. He was married to the former Joye Lynn Dickens in 1961. The couple divorced in 1988.

He leaves behind his three children, Marilyn Elizabeth Votaw, Andrew Berry Votaw and Laura Edwards Votaw Platt, and his daughter-in-law Kathleen Quinn Votaw, his grandson John Robert Votaw, and his close friend Norma Hartley.

A memorial service will be held later in 2016.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Greater St. Louis Boy Scout Council, 4568 W. Pine Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63108 or by going online at http://contactus.stlbsa.org/.