Rudolph S. "Rudy" BOTTEI

ABT 1930 - 23 APR 2003

• OCCUPATION: Professor of Chemistry, Notre Dame
  
• BIRTH: ABT 1930, Chicago, IL
• BURIAL: Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame, IN
• DEATH: 23 APR 2003, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 13 AUG 1960, Chicago, IL

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[N4651] Chemistry Professor Rudolph S. Bottei diesp. Word has been received of the death of Rudolph S. Rudy Bottei, professor and assistant chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame. He died Wednesday (April 23) at age 73 in Hospice House, South Bend.

RUDOLPH S. "RUDY BOTTEI", a chemistry professor who taught generations of students that the environment is precious and so are human beings, died April 23, 2003 at age 73. Professor Bottei taught environmental chemistry and freshman chemistry classes through the first part of spring semester before succumbing to cancer. He joined the faculty in 1955 and was named assistant chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1964. He published numerous research articles, served as a research director and held several summer faculty research appointments at the Argonne National Laboratory. But he was known foremost as a teacher and won several awards for his expertise. At this years commencement it was announced that he would receive Frank OMalley Undergraduate Teaching Award posthumously. Bottei enlivened lectures with demonstrations of chemistry principals and interspersed his talks with wit and such practical advice as "dont procrastinate" and "use it or lose it." He worked hard to keep labs and teaching facilities in top shape and was looking forward to teaching in the planned Science Learning Center, which colleagues thought of as "his baby." He made students work hard but was also fair. Many considered their cheerful, likeable professor a friend. He was known for reminding others of the Gospel imperative to help the least of ones brothers and sometimes took up collections for the less fortunate. Among his many extra activities, he served as a faculty member in the Balfour-Hesburgh Summer Program for Minority Students.