Walter C. Rothenbuhler

Entomology
1920-2002

Walter Rothenbuhler, who was widely recognized as a leading authority in the field of honey bee genetics, and whose work had a major impact in the broader fields of genetics and behavior, died August 14, 2002. His work on honey bees was the first to establish a genetic basis for behavior, and his seminal work in this field during the 1960's is rightly considered to have laid the foundation for the current discipline of behavioral genetics. His research also resulted in the development of effective breeding techniques for the management of disease resistance in honey bees.

He was an outstanding teacher and taught popular courses at Ohio State in animal behavior, behavioral genetics and honey bee biology. He mentored 44 graduate students, many of whom are currently leaders in the field of honey bee biology. Professor Rothenbuhler retired from the university in 1985, but continued to maintain close contact with his former associates as long as his health permitted. As a tribute to his many contributions to the field of honey bee biology, the university named the Rothenbuhler Honey Bee Laboratory in his honor in 1989.

Professor Rothenbuhler received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Iowa State University, joined the faculty at Iowa State as an Assistant Professor in 1954, and moved to Ohio State in 1962.

Frank W. Fisk

Entomology
1914-2002

Frank W. Fisk, died in Deland, Florida on July 31, 2002. Professor Fisk received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and his graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota, and then joined the faculty of Ohio State upon completion of his Ph.D. in 1949.

Until his retirement in 1975, Professor Fisk annually taught the department's course in insect physiology, along with other courses in toxicology, internal morphology, and research methods. His interests in physiology focused on the digestive enzymes of insects, but he also had a passion for cockroach behavior and taxonomy.

His interests in tropical and subtropical cockroaches resulted in many field trips to the southern U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and other regions of Central America. This work resulted in the discovery of several new species of cockroaches, and many of his retirement years were filled with research on the tropical cockroach fauna.

He served in the U.S. Public Health Service during World War II, first as a commissioned officer with the Yunnan-Burma Railway Medical Mission and then with the U.S. Army Surgeon General.