I just wrote you separately. I'm related to you through Kennedy (your grandmother Cora Kennedy Plucknett w/o Albert Sidney Plucknett was sister to my grandmother Charlotte Kennedy Johnson Botkin). Though I sent this to you privately, I would post this tribute to your father William Kennedy Plucknett here also -- for others' viewing.
MINUTES OF THE UNIVERSITY SENATE, SEPTEMBER 9, 1996
http://www.uky.edu/USC/USMinutes/US.09.09.1996.htmlThe University Senate met in regular session at 3:30 p.m., Monday, September
9, 1996 in Room 115 of the Nursing Health Sciences Building.
Professor Janice Schach, Chairperson of the Senate Council, presided.
The Chair then recognized Professor Don Sands, Department of Chemistry, to
present a memorial resolution in honor of Professor William K. Plucknett.
Resolution Presented to University of Kentucky Senate
in memory of
Professor William K. Plucknett
September 9, 1996
William K. Plucknett, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, died on August 2,
1996, at the age of 79. He is survived by his wife, Evaline Plucknett, sons
Bruce and Albert Plucknett, daughter Ellen O'Laughlin, and four grandchildren.
Bill Plucknett was a native of Nebraska. He graduated from Peru State
College in 1937; he liked to recall that his total out-of-pocket expenses
for his first year in college in 1933-34 amounted to $76. Bill went on to
earn a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Iowa State University. He came to
the University of Kentucky in 1953 as Associate Professor of Chemistry. He
retired in 1983.
Bill was an involved member of the University Community, and he filled many
roles in his thirty years of formal service. He chaired the Senate Council
in the 1970-71 academic year. From 1975 to 1983 he served as Director of
General Chemistry. He was active in AAUP, and served as President of the
State Conference of AAUP. I heard a new faculty member asking him once,
AAUP - what does AAUP stand for? Bill's response was quick: AAUP stands
for academic freedom.
Bill' s retirement meant that we no longer had day-to-day access to his keen
intellect. No longer could I stroll down the hall to seek his help on a
chemical thermodynamics problem. His poker buddies, though, can attest to
the power of Bill's mind just two weeks before his death. I visited Bill in
July, two days after he suffered a stroke and five days before he died; his
body was impaired, but he was still sharper mentally than many of us.
Retirement also deprived us of regular enjoyment of Bill's humor. His wit
was quick and penetrating. He had a delicious sense of the ridiculous. He
was a master at setting up and delivering a joke.
Bill's concern for faculty rights, as exemplified by his work with AAUP was
one aspect of his broader commitment to the rights of people. Through
organizations such as ACLU and Amnesty International, he continued
throughout his life to fight for humanitarian causes.
We remember Bill Plucknett for his intelligence, for his scientific insight,
for his good teaching, for his sense of humor, and for his dedication to
justice and fairness. His life integrated these qualities and demonstrated
that they are not isolated from each other.
I ask that this resolution be made part of the minutes of the University
Senate and that a copy be sent to Professor Plucknett's family.
Chairperson Schach asked that the Senate stand for a moment of silence in
recognition of Professor Plucknett.