Douglas Pratt, a University of Minnesota professor of botany who became a college dean, conducted early research on plant biomass, now a hot subject for scientists investigating new fuel sources.
Pratt, who served at the university for 30 years, died of leukemia on Nov. 8 at his home in Scandia. The longtime Minneapolis resident was 77.
At least 30 years ago, Pratt led students in the study of the biomass of cattails.
"I think this was pioneering work that should be taken into account by those who want to use biomass as an energy source," said Eville Gorham, a retired professor of ecology and botany at the university.
Pratt and Gorham had done wetlands research together, sometimes teaching classes in tandem.
Gorham said Pratt was an "admired administrator" who in the 1980s became dean of the College of Biological Sciences.
He also led a campus association of professors and served three terms in the University Senate. "He felt he was the representative of the faculty to the administration, rather than a representative of the administration to the faculty," making him a popular leader, Gorham said.
Former student Pearl Lam Bergad of Minneapolis, now a retired University of Minnesota research biologist, said he taught students how to persevere in research.
"He taught us to harness the frustration, inherent in research, into productive effort," said Lam Bergad. "What he taught me is how I conducted research for the next 40 years.
"He had a great sense of humor," she said. "He was mentor" to many and "was generous with his advice."
After graduation from Edison High School in Minneapolis, Pratt earned a bachelor's degree in natural science education from the University of Minnesota in 1952.
He served as a Navy officer during the Korean War, and by 1960 he had earned a master's degree and a doctorate in botany from the university.
In 1966, he joined the university's faculty, after teaching for several years at Carleton College in Northfield.
Pratt, a plant physiologist who originally studied photosynthetic bacteria, published more than 60 scientific papers and reports.
He chaired the Science and Technology Resource Council for the Minnesota Legislature (1983-85) and was a longtime leader of the HealthPartners Foundation.
His son, Dr. Steven Pratt of Lino Lakes, said that in recent years those looking for energy from plants have taken a renewed interest in the work his father conducted.
"He was exciting to listen to, because he had energy and he was excited about what he was talking about," said his son.
"He was a very patient teacher and father."
Pratt retired in 1996.
In addition to Steven, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beverly of Scandia; four other sons, Gregory of Minneapolis, Christopher of Minneapolis, Jeffrey of Scandia and Timothy of Shoreview; two daughters, Greta of Norfolk, Va., and Analisa of Menlo Park, Calif.; a sister, Audrey Dahl of Scandia; two brothers, Wallace of Scandia and Lawrence of St. Anthony; and 12 grandchildren.
Services have been held.
