Donald Ricketts

Donald Ricketts was born January 23, 1932 to the late William A. Ricketts and Marie Osborne Ricketts in Evansville, IN. Donald accepted Christ as his savior at an early age. He departed his life on January 20, 2015 in Boston, MA. He was preceded in death by his father, William A. Ricketts, his mother, Marie Osborne Ricketts, his brothers: Robert Ricketts, Theodore Ricketts, Raymond E. Ricketts, and his sisters: Helen Ricketts, Jeanette Ricketts Mangum and Lillian M. Ricketts Johnson. Donald was married to the late Shirley Williams of Kenosha, Wisconsin and of that union was born three daughters: Donna Ricketts Henderson, Carol Ricketts, and Sharon Ricketts Adeeyo. He leaves to cherish his precious memories, three devoted daughters, Donna, Carol, Sharon; a beloved granddaughter, Natalie; sisters, Dorothy Ricketts Carter, Shirley Ricketts Rowlett, Constance Ricketts Neal; brothers, William Ricketts Jr. (Mary), Gilbert Ricketts, a host of nieces and nephews, and a longtime companion, Lois Harvey, who shared with him the love of classical music, ballet, and opera in his reclining years. Donald graduated valedictorian from Lincoln High School in 1950, and continued his education at Evansville College where he received his bachelor's in electronic engineering and a certificate in cooperative engineering. Subsequently, he was awarded bachelors and masters in mathematics from Boston University and Northeastern University, respectively. He was an internationally recognized expert on piezoelectric polymer transducers. He was named author of the year at Raytheon SSD in 1980, 1985, and 1986 for his papers on piezoelectric polymer transducers that were published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. He has published 14 technical papers and holds two patents for polymer transducers. In the year 2000, Donald received the University of Evansville Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 2012 The Donald Ricketts Scholarship was established in conjunction with the Evansville African American Museum. The scholarship is for students enrolled in a full-time accredited college or university majoring in science, math, or technology. There will be a memorial service in May to honor our friend, our brother, our own esteemed scholar, Donald Ricketts. He's beloved by so many in the arena of education. He gave his tutorials at every level, mentoring family, friends, and colleagues in a vast number of areas, lifting them all to follow their dreams. He taught with gentleness and by example. In tribute to Donald, the family request that all memorial contributions be made to the Evansville African American Museum in care of the Donald Ricketts Scholarship Fund. Let's continue his legacy of assisting our worthy youth.