Obituary of Richard C. Bothner

Dr. Richard C. Bothner “Doc” Olean, NY--Dr. Richard C. “Doc” Bothner of Olean, Professor Emeritus at St. Bonaventure University, lifelong naturalist, and beloved husband and father passed away at his home in the company of his wife Peg early Friday morning February 15, 2008. He was born in Bronx, New York, May 16, 1929 to Richard H. Bothner and Charlotte Bouffier Bothner, and attended Fordham Preparatory High School and Fordham University, from which he received a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biology. In the interim period between these degrees, Richard served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force for 3 years. He fell in love with Margaret C. “Peggy” O’Malley and they were married in Stratford, Connecticut on June 28, 1958. He was hired as a Professor of Biology at St. Bonaventure in September of that same year where he quickly became a popular professor at the university until his retirement in 1993. Following retirement, he was named Professor Emeritus and continued to teach part time for several years. Flags will be flown at half mast in his memory at the university this weekend. During his tenure at St. Bonaventure, Dr. Bothner received numerous accolades. In 1990 he received the Sears Roebuck Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1997 he received the SBU Student Government Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in both 1995 and 1988 was the recipient of the SBU Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. In 1974, he developed a team taught course with colleague and friend Dr. Stephen Eaton, in which students would travel to South Florida for field trips and lectures on the fascinating ecology of the Everglades National Park. This became one of the most popular courses offered by the Biology Department. Additionally, his field work was cited in numerous publications and most recently he co-authored “The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State” published in 2007 by Oxford University Press. 'Doc' was a passionate naturalist, best known for his enthusiastic ‘snake lectures” and environmental education series delivered to countless schools and scouting troops throughout his career. He was a member of the Nature Conservancy, and received numerous research grants from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and he was a regular participant in P.E.T.E events at schools across Western New York State which even reached his own grandchildren in Rochester. He and his wife Peg are members of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Olean. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children, Carl (Rose) Bothner of Rochester, New York, Patricia (Miguel) Villafranca of Sealy, Texas, Peter (Dionne) Bothner of Rochester, New York, Jane (William) Harkin of Mandeville, Louisiana, nine grandchildren, sister Patricia Carroll of Olean, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss his insatiable appetite for knowledge, uncanny knack for giving sage advice, his mischievous sense of humor and his warmth and love. The family will receive friends at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9pm where a vigil wake service will begin at 8:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday (February 18, 2008) at 10:00am in the St. Bonaventure University Chapel. Msgr William Wangler, pastor of St. John’s Church and Rev. Peter Schneible, OFM of St. Bonaventure University will concelebrate the mass. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Olean General Hospital.