Carl W. Rettenmeyer

RETTENMEYER, Carl W. Carl W. Rettenmeyer, 78, of Storrs, died Thursday (April 9, 2009). He was born in Meriden, the son of Frederick and Gertrude Rettenmeyer. He is well known internationally for his research on New World tropical army ants and the production of the DVD Astonishing Army Ants. Carl completed undergraduate studies at Swarthmore College in 1953, and received his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 1962. He taught at KU from 1960 until 1971 and at the University of Connecticut from 1971 until he retired in 1996. He was the Founding Director of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History that opened in Storrs in 1985. Carl served as an officer in many of the 17 professional societies to which he belonged. He presented numerous talks at national and international symposia, and received nine National Science Foundation grants for research on army ants between 1962 and 1979 and six University of Connecticut Research Foundation grants between 1971 and 1978. At the University of Connecticut he taught Biology, Social Insects, and Photography for Biologists, and served as major professor for nine Ph.D. and six M.S. students. He served on the University Senate 1989-1990 and the University Growth and Development Committee 1984-88. He was the Executive Officer of the Biological Sciences Group at the University of Connecticut 1983-1985. He is author and co-author of numerous scientific papers about social insects, and has had his photographs published in many books and magazine articles. Carl is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marian Rettenmeyer of Storrs; his sister Ruth Backus and her husband Warren Backus of Wallingford; his daughter Susan Vining and her husband Jack Vining, Jr.; his grandchildren, Jessica, Nicole, Scott, and Kyle Vining all of Bolton; his son Ron Rettenmeyer of Manchester; his niece June Griffiths and her husband Eldon Griffiths of Danielson, his niece Carolyn R. Backus of Belmont, MA; and his nephew David Backus and his wife Carolyn G. Backus of Framingham, MA. A memorial service will be held for Carl on Saturday, May 30, at 11 a.m. at Storrs Congregational Church, corner of Rte. 195 and North Eagleville Rd., Storrs. The burial service will be private. In lieu of flowers, please donate a gift in memory of Carl Rettenmeyer to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. For online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com.