Henry Vostral

Henry Vostral Ph.D., age 78, died on Saturday, May 10, in the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Ill.

Henry was born Nov. 22, 1935, in Ritzville, the son of Henry John and Martha F. Miessner Vostral. On Aug. 21, 1964, he married Lois J. Matter in Hooker, Okla. He had met Lois while working on his Doctorate degree in Agronomy at the University of Wisconsin.

Henry could identify every weed in the United States and had taught college level classes on the subject of Agronomy. His achievements have been many; his life has revolved around his focus and intellect, of which he was very proud.

He was Valedictorian of Ritzville High School’s class of 1954, and graduated with Highest Honors from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree. While there, he was president of his fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho. After serving in the U.S. Army as a Laboratory Technician, SP5, stationed in both California and Germany, he returned to school.

In 1964 he received his Master’s of Science in Agronomy, in 1965 he received his Ph.D. in Agronomy, and in 1966 completed his Post Doctoral Fellowship in Weed Control, all at the University of Wisconsin.

Henry worked for the Upjohn Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan from 1966-1995. He worked there as a fieldman in Herbicide Research rising to a manager in Regulatory Affairs, and to Director of Safety and Environmental Practices. In his first eleven years in the herbicide research, he obtained EPA registration for “Collego”, the first fungal agent used as a field crop herbicide. His last 18 years were in compliance with environmental regulations, worker safety and health issues. He had counseled and advised executive management regarding potential impacts of pending government regulations.

Another of his accomplishments was, President of the Comstock Schools Foundation.

Henry had many hobbies such as: woodworking, photography and supporting all of the University of Michigan sports. He liked many other things including beer, chocolate, working on taxes and card games.

Henry had 23 articles published and four patents. He especially enjoyed his daughters’ accomplishments in their education.

He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Sharra (Ray) Fouché of Carmel, Ind., Mara (Scott) Baker of Edmonds, Wash., and Chandra (Andrew) Schauer of Bothell, Wash .; grandson Eads Fouché of Carmel, Ind .; granddaughters, Daphne and Niobe Schauer of Bothell; cousins, Melvin “Corky” Kiehn, Dale Anderson, Tony Vostral, all of Ritzville, and several other cousins.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will have a private service in Colorado to honor Henry’s life and to scatter his ashes at one of his favorite vistas in the mountains.

Memorials can be sent to Ritzville High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 312, Ritzville, WA 99169.

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.