Dr Richard H. Bohning

Dr. Richard H. Bohning, 102, of Richmond, RI passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022. Before retiring Richard served as Dean of the College of Biological Sciences at The Ohio State University. He was appointed to that position on January 1, 1969. Previously Dr. Bohning had served as Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics at Ohio State and as Assistant Director of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at Wooster, Ohio, from 1964 to 1969.
Dr. Bohning retired from Ohio State University on July 1, 1978 with the titles of Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus. He had been a member of The Ohio State University Faculty since 1946, following his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He rose from instructor to assistant professor in 1950, and to associate professor in 1955 and to professor in 1961.
Dr. Bohning was born September 16, 1919 in Hope Valley, RI and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Rhode Island State College in 1940. He received both the Master of Science and PH.D. Degrees from The Ohio State University in 1941 am d 1948, respectively.
He served as editor of the Ohio Journal of Science from 1953-56, and in 1957 was awarded a National Science Foundation Faculty Fellowship to study the teaching of General Botany at 16 leading universities in the US.
Dr. Bohning was a fellow of the Ohio Academy of Science and a member of several other professional societies including Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma XI, American Society of Plant Physiologists, American Institute of Biological Sciences, Botanical Society of America, Ohio Academy of Science and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
He is listed in Who’s Who in America; American Men and Women of Science and a number of other biographic directories.
He has published a number of articles in the field of plant physiology and is co-author of a textbook, “Introduction to Pant Physiology”.
From 1957 to 1964 he served as coordinator of the on-campus activities of the Agricultural Education and Research Program of India, established under a cooperative agreement between the University and the Agency for International Development. He was named assistant Dean of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics in 1960 and associate Dean four years later.
Within the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, he has served as secretary and chairman of Directors of Resident Instruction, North Central Region, and as a member of the Resident Instruction Committee on organization and policy of the Division of Agriculture.
During World War II he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy on active duty in the Pacific Theater. As Executive Officer of LSM 127 he received the Bronze Star for service aboard his ship in combat areas.
During his tenure at Ohio State he was a member of many University Committees, including the President’s Permanent Planning Committee, The Mershon Committee on Education in National Security and the Committee on Honorary Degrees. He served as Chairman of the Joint Civilian-Military Study Group which developed “A Proposed Senior Division Army ROTC Curriculum” at the request of the Department of the Army.
He also served on a number of councils and boards while at Ohio State including the following; The Coordinating Council of Deans of the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences; University Council of Deans and Senate, the Athletic Council, Administrative Advisory Committee for the Bio-Medical Engineering Center, the Center for Lake Erie Area Research Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee for the Cancer Research Center. During 1973-74 he served as President of the Faculty Club.
He was a recipient of numerous honors including the Good Citizenship Medal for the highest grades in his class in Military Science and Tactics in 1937 during his enrollment in the ROTC; Honorary State Farmer, FFA 1965; and The Ohio State University Distinguished Service Award, August 13, 1979.
He will be buried beside his wife of 61 years, Evelyn Maxon Bitgood, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his son, Dr. Richard H. Bohning, Jr., Grand-daughter, Gillian M. Wyckoff, Great Grandson Toby and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours are respectfully omitted. All services will be private.
S.R. Avery Funeral Home, 3A Bank St., Hope Valley, RI will be assisting the family.
For online condolences, please visit www.averyfuneralhome.com

 

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