Roscoe E. Lancaster

Roscoe E. Lancaster, Jr., affectionately known as `Rocky` to all of his friends, was a true son of Ottawa. He was born here to Roscoe Lancaster, Sr., and Ida Williamson Lancaster, and attended school from kindergarten through the end of University in Ottawa. He graduated from Ottawa High School in 1949, and Ottawa University in 1953. One of his lifelong friends recalled that at the 50th high school reunion of the class of `49, Rocky was the only one who had his letter sweater from high school, and could fit into it! From Ottawa University he went to Kansas University for graduate school, earning a master`s degree in chemistry. Some years later he earned a master`s degree in education from Harvard, of which he was justifiably proud. His heart was always in teaching, from his first job at a college in Oklahoma to his final 35 years in the chemistry department at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California. He began teaching there during the first year of its operation, and retired in January, 2001. He touched the lives of thousands of students during his years of teaching chemistry. He is survived by three maternal cousins: Mary Lou Sinclair Burgoon of Ottawa, KS; William Sinclair of Osawatomie, KS; and Katharine Duffy Nelson of Chagrin Falls, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his maternal and paternal aunts: Clara Williamson Sinclair, Lucille Williamson Duffy, Erma Lancaster, and Marjorie Lancaster. Visitation and celebration of his life will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2002, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Committal services and inurnment will follow at Highland Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Roscoe E. Lancaster Jr. Scholarship Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through www.dengelmortuary.com.