Ohio University mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Folden ‘Burt’ Stumpf

Ohio University mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Folden "Burt" Stumpf, who taught in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Stumpf was born on Aug. 18, 1928, in Lansing, Michigan, to Ruby and Gordon Stumpf. They raised him and his younger sister, Amelia, in North Canton, Ohio. Stumpf went on to attend Kent State University as an undergraduate, the University of Michigan as a graduate student, and finally was awarded his Ph.D. in physics from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1956. While in Illinois, he met his wife, Margaret, through the Fourth Presbyterian Church. They married in the summer of 1954. After receiving his Ph.D., Stumpf continued his pursuit of knowledge through various research grants and opportunities that took him to Washington state, where his daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1957. His research took him back to Ohio where his son, John, was born in 1960.

Stumpf became a professor at Ohio University where he and his family settled in 1963. Stumpf spent his life dedicated to his research in acoustics, publishing research and receiving accolades for his novel insights. Upon his retirement, he spent his time creating art and poetry based on nature, physics, and his deep reverence for God.

Stumpf lived in Athens until his death on May 13, 2024, where he passed peacefully. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret (October 2021) and is survived by his daughter Elizabeth, son John, daughter-in-law Laurie, and three granddaughters Alexandria, Katrina, and Annelene. Stumpf is remembered by his family as a man of very corny jokes, endless high-fives and unwavering academic support.

A service celebrating his life was held earlier in the summer. For more information, please see this website.