Lowell R “SKIP” Nault died peacefully at Wooster Community Hospital on Wednesday November 6, 2024.
Skip was born in San Francisco, April 4, 1940, and lived there and in Marin County in his formative years. It was in Marin that his fascination with collecting reptiles and amphibians had its origin. But it was a 4-H project focused on insects that captured his imagination, and he decided to become an entomologist at the age of 12. He attended the College of Marin before transferring to the Univ. of California, Davis to complete his undergraduate degree, a B.S. with honors in Entomology and Parasitology. He continued his education at Cornell University where he earned his M.S. and PhD degrees in Entomology with a minor in Plant Pathology.
He came to Wooster in February 1966 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology at the Ohio State University/OARDC. He rose through the faculty ranks retiring in 2002 after having served as Professor, Associate Chair of Entomology, Associate Director and Interim Director of the OARDC and Associate Dean of the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. His research was focused on insects that transmit plant viruses and bacteria, especially to corn. He and his colleagues on the Wooster campus discovered and identified the most destructive maize pathogens and vectors in the U.S. His field studies extended to Mexico, Central and South America to search for the origins of maize pathogens and their vectors. It was during this period that he was instrumental in the discovery and chemical characterization of aphid alarm pheromones.
The Ohio State University named him as a Distinguished Scholar in 1999. He was recognized nationally and internationally by election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society, Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society (London) and Fellow, Honorary Member and President (1991) of the Entomological Society of America. For years he co-taught an undergraduate course in field entomology at OSU’s Stone Lab on Lake Erie’s Gibraltar Island. He also was advisor for numerous graduate students, post docs and visiting scientists.
It was in graduate school at Cornell that he met his wonderful wife Loretta (Letty) Kushall who later taught science and math at Edgewood Middle School. They have two children, Brian (Melissa) a professor of entomology at Cornell University’s AgriTech campus in Geneva, NY and Julie, a high school Spanish teacher in Bend, OR. His wife, children, and grandchildren Nicolette and Julian Nault and Mia Montoya survive him.
Skip was an avid tennis player. He was Captain and MVP of the Univ. of California, Davis tennis team for 3 years and played tournaments in California, New York and Ohio. He was twice a member of the USTA Ohio championship senior tennis team. He gave individual and group lessons to hundreds of tennis players and served for 3 years as coach of Wooster High School’s Boys Tennis Team.
Following his retirement, Skip took up fly fishing and fly tying. For most of the past 20 plus years he has served as officer of the Clear Fork River chapter of Trout Unlimited as well as the Ohio Council of TU. In 2005, he headed the successful program to establish a trout fishery in Apple Creek at Grosjean Park in Wooster. The fishery welcomes over a thousand visits by trout anglers each year. He has headed up a number of fly-fishing clinics for newcomers to the sport.
Locally, he was a member of the Century Club for more than 40 years. He served as a cub scout leader and 4-H instructor. Also, he was a founder and a long-time member of the Secrest Arboretum (Ohio State University) Support Council. Skip was also a founding member of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Wayne County as well as the U U Humanists of Wayne County.
Skip’s other interests included gardening and landscape design, as well as keeping fish tanks of fresh and salt water tropical fish, corals and other reef critters. He also loved to play poker exchanging funny stories and jokes with his friends and laughing a lot.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerard and Helen Nault, a sister, Marilyn Nault Howell, and a niece, Mara Howell.
He loved the family dogs.
Donations in Skip’s name can be made to the Friends of the Secrest Arboretum, 3540 Burbank Road, #190, Wooster, OH 44691.
Services will be announced at a later date.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
I am very sorry to hear this sad news. As a new faculty member at OSU Entomology, I met Skip the first time and also the last time in the department award celebration this April and had the honor to chat with him. He was such a nice person and will surely be missed.
Deepest Sympathy to Letty n the Family ! RIP my dear tennis friend who told the best fishing stories 🙏💙🙏
I’m heart broken. Skip and I were long time colleagues made extra special when we were together at Ohio State. He was one of the strong faculty who I got to work with when I joined OSU as director of OARDC and associate dean. When I was looking for an associate director, it was him!! Along with Dean Bobby Moser, we worked together to lead OARDC out of its 11.5 million debt. We cut a deal with the VP for finance that if we could solve it within 15 years , we’d get the interest back OARDC was paying to OSU on the debt. We paid it off in 5 years! Skip reminded me of the VP’s commitment. I contacted him and OSU put 3 million in our account. We used it to establish an endowment in agroecosystem management, and also endow support to the Secrest Arboretum which Skip so loved and which he devoted so much love in helping it prosper. Skip was , and is, a beloved institution at OARDC. I pray they name something in his honor. I’ll sure suggest that! Of course he will be so missed, but he leaves outstanding accomplishments with his family, our science and The Ohio State University and it’s OARDC. THANK YOU SKIP! I have such wonderful memories of you Letty and your family, Brian and Julie and how your family grew, and our time together. THANK YOU my dear friend. Blessing to you Letty, the kids and grandkids. 🥲🥰
Our friend and neighbor for 55 years, Skip will be very missed. We all loved his hearty laughs, jokes and story telling. May you find peace and freedom from pain and stress, dear friend. Our love and support is being sent to Letty, Brian and Julie.
Skip: A great husband, father, scientist, tennis player, fisherman, and more.
But to me growing up, I always remembered he had time to show me (and my brothers), the tarantulas or the fish in the aquarium and especially time for several jokes.
In fact, I’m sure he’s somewhere right now telling another joke. We miss you Skip!
To read his obituary is to learn what a brilliant, incredible man. He lived a beautiful life, achieved so much, and will be missed .
My love to Brian and Julie and their families, and especially to Letty, a life long and loving wife!
It has been I while that Skip and I crossed paths. But once I did, he left a permanent impression on me as one of a kind. Full of energy and ideas, he was a statesman at the OARDC and so many lives and careers were positively impacted by him. Rest in peace Skip.
Skip & Lettie, power couple of UUFWC. Legacy of education with humor will shine on… Grateful for your friendship!
Lowell “Skip” Nault is remembered as a renowned entomologist. Also he and Letty are sponsors of a water garden at Secrest Arboretum in Wooster. Skip is remembered as a good, supportive and friendly neighbor in the Edgewood Allotment. Thank you, Skip for the memories.
Janet and Jim Gallander
There r just no words to describe what a wonderful man Skip was/ Everything he did he did with gusto/ !! He will be sorely missed in this community!! RIP Skip
My life and my community are all better for the presence of Skip in them. I will think of him every time I hear a “Trump” joke and every time I am standing knee deep in a stream enjoying his passion of fly fishing. Tight lines, Skip. You were certainly one of a kind.
I’ve known Skip since I was an entomology grad student. He and my MS advisor, Tom Wood, were buddies in grad school and remained lifelong friends. Skip was always very kind to me as a student and later as I developed my career. At ESA meetings a grad student can often feel invisible, but he always made me feel like part of the gang. When I became a faculty member at Ohio State he and Letty were so warm and welcoming. Until near the end of his life he would stop in to see me now and then on his rounds of the entomology department in Wooster. We would have a coffee and share news and stories. He is known as a great man for his science, but he was also a great man for his kindness to and mentorship of everyone he came in contact with. I will miss him very much.
Skip was a great man and will be missed. I spent time with him as an officer of the Clear Fork Chapter of TU and always enjoyed his talks and fish stories. His passion for entomology, fly-fishing and TU were infectious. Apple Creek and all of those who enjoy the fruits of your labor will be forever grateful. Rest in Peace Skip and tight lines.
Skip was one of the sharpest, smartest, funniest, focused people I’ve ever known. When he gave a talk, you listened. He is already greatly missed.
I had the privilege of working with Skip at OARDC, beginning in June of 1967. For over 30 years I was his “right, and left-hand man.” (Quote from Skip.) He was always there for me. I honestly believe he saved my life, or at least the person I am today. The Vietnam war was going full blast when I graduated college and he hired me. I lost my student deferment, and the draft board sent me on a bus with other kids for a physical exam. It was just a matter of time before I would likely be dodging bullets. Skip wrote my draft board and told them that he needed me and my skill set (brief version!) They gave me a job deferment. As has already been said, he was such a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, co-worker, entomologist, herpetologist, fisherman, and friend to so many in the local and world community. He will be dearly missed, and there is a Skip-shaped void now, in the hearts of so many of us who were blessed with knowing him and loving him. RIP dear friend.
Skip will be dearly missed in our neighborhood. Such a kind and friendly neighbor for many years, that always stopped to talk as he was walking his dogs. His kindness and friendship will always be with us. Many prayers to Letty, Brian and Julie.
This is incredibly sad news. Skip meant so much to us. We have such fond memories of the BBQs and evenings we spent together. He was a role model, a bon vivant, and an incredibly empathetic and generous person. One of a kind. We can think of no one who better fits the saying, “they broke the mold.”
Our most sincere condolences to Letty, Julie, and Brian, and to the many friends and colleagues in Wooster and beyond.
Skip embodies everything we cherish about Wooster and America. May he rest in peace. His memory will live on with us forever.
Letty, I am so sorry for your loss. Skip was such a fine man. He will truly be missed. My prayers are with you and your family.
This is heartbreaking. Skip holds such a profound place in my memories, and his passing feels like a part of me has been torn away. He has been an incredible example as mentor, friend, leader, colleague and an amazing scientist. I will always remember him fondly.
Even though Skip was nearly 10 years into his retirement at the time, he was one of the first people to welcome me on the job when I started as an Assistant Professor in Entomology at the OARDC, which I have always appreciated. His visits to Thorne Hall and Wooster Science Building would always liven the atmosphere with one of his anecdotes or jokes (about insects of course). I will miss his visits, stories, and camaraderie. Deepest sympathies to Letty, Brian, and Julie.
He will be missed. I am glad I got to now him. Keep a tight line, Skip.
RIP SKIP
My condolences, Letty. May all your years of memories give you a measure of comfort as you mourn the loss of your dear Skip. I will hold you in my heart.
What a big loss, Skip was a huge asset to the fly fishing community in our area truly a delightful man to be around to fish with. I know he had many many friends that will miss him dearly as well as his family. He was one of the good ones, Jimmy Acord.
Skip was one of my best friends, scientific colleague, and fishing partner. I first met him in 1974 when we were in a ride pool together, commuting to the OARDC each morning as young faculty members. Over the years, we became good friends, then administrative colleagues, serving together towards the end of our respective careers at the OARDC. Then we moved forward as steelhead fishing partners. Together we learned how to hook and land these tremendous fish on our fly rods, and also how to tie the flies needed to catch them. Skip, took the leadership in advancing the Clear Fork River chapter of Trout Unlimited based in Wooster, and I worked with him closely over the past 15 years or so to develop and advance this excellent volunteer group. On his own initiative, Skip developed the trout fishery in Apple Creek that exists today. Despite their initial skepticism, with Skip’s encouragement, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources finally developed into a financial supporter of the endeavor. As others have said, Skip’s enthusiasm for everything he touched was infectious. His firm, yet friendly and humorous approach to all tasks, and indeed to life itself, was the key to his many successes and to his vast circle of friends, colleagues, neighbors, acquaintances, students, and everyone he knew. My last visit with Skip took place only last week in the hospital, following surgery on a broken hip. He was still upbeat and planning for the future. He will be greatly missed by his family, his community, and by us all.
This is so sad. Chip and I are heartbroken. Skip was among the first to welcome me as an OSU assistant professor in plant pathology at the OARDC in Wooster in 1991, leading to many collaborative projects over the years. He really encouraged interdisciplinary research at a time when that was a bit unusual, and was also well known and respected in the field of plant pathology. He was so knowledgeable but also open to and encouraged the ideas of others. Skip hired Chip for computer and data systems support a few years after we arrived in Wooster, and they worked together until Skip’s retirement. He was a wonderful “boss”. We enjoyed Skip and Letty’s hospitality so much – there was never a more kind and generous couple. We offer our most heartfelt condolences to Letty, Brian and Julie.
Skip was a true leader. A brilliant mind and passionate about all he believed in. He believed in OARDC and its mission! Always a supporter of OARDC and one who used any available funds to promote research. Faculty with promising research ideas would often be able to approach Skip about the funds needed to get preliminary data to compete for a grant. If he supported the idea, those faculty would get funds to initiate the research.
My deepest condolences to Letty and the entire Nault family.
Loss of a great scientist and a great human being: Dr. Skip Nault, Professor of Entomology at OSU, who received me and my family in America in 1982 (when I traveled to USA for the first time on a Fulbright scholarship) …such a friendly reception that I did not imagine, although I had never met him before. He waited for me and my family (wife and 2 young daughters) at night in Cleveland airport, took us in his car and drove about an hour to the city of Wooster, where his laboratory was located. To my surprise, I found out that he had rented for us a beautiful small apartment near the laboratory. He and his wife had put enough food for us in the refrigerator earlier to last us for a few days. Additionally, he and his wife were very helpful to us throughout our first stay in America (about 15 months). He even arranged another scholarship for me at the same university 3 years later. He later assumed the position of Director of OARDC. He was a cheerful and friendly person with all his students and colleagues … Our sincere condolences to his family and friends from all over of the world.
Skip continued his tradition of welcoming new faculty into his retirement as he was one of the first to welcome me to campus in 2021 and helped me become connected with the Entomology department. He and Letty had me over for dinner to welcome me as well. He’d even looked up some of my papers and asked incredibly insightful questions (that’s Skip!) It was always a joy to run into him on campus, in the seminar room or at his pond. I’m so lucky to have met and known him even if just for a few years. He certainly made an impact. An incredible scientist, an even better human being. He will be missed. My heart goes out to Letty and the rest of the Nault family.
Skip was a great scientist with lots of enthusiasm. He was kind to me as a new graduate student in Wooster and made a big impression. I’m grateful we were able to interact for a few years at OARDC. My condolences to his family.
Thoughts of Skip always bring a smile to my face. He embodied all the qualities of a gentleman and was always ready to help others. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Letty, my sincere condolences to you and your family. May your memories comfort you.
I am honored to have been one of Skip’s earliest Grad students. I had switched my major from Ag. Ed. to Entomology in May of 1965. I was still figuring out what Entomology and applied research were about when I began my thesis research in his lab at OARDC in April 1968. I got my home county’s military draft notice in June 1968. I just incidentally found out (that same June) that the Army was recruiting Medical Entomologists. Because most draftees at that time were almost certain to go to Vietnam (RVN) within a year or two of induction, I applied for that opportunity at once. I was told that I did qualify, but only if I could complete (= receive) my M.S. no later than the end of December 1968. When I told Skip these details, he immediately sat down and helped me plan out a very robust research project with a short expected completion time. He regularly checked my progress and gave me all the resources and gentle prodding I needed. I know that I met that December deadline only through his extensive guidance and encouragement. That was a very essential step in my 25-yr. Active duty Army Entomology career. I did serve 12 mo. in RVN, but in a Preventive Medicine roll, rather than in direct combat or combat support. Skip was always a gentleman, a great role model, an outstanding researcher, and a boon to Entomology! I personally owe him a lot! I’m sorry for his passing, and for his suffering. I wish Letty, Brian, and Julie my sincerest condolences.
Kathy and I were so sorry to hear of Skips passing.He was very talented and a wonderful person to be around.Letty,we wish the best for you and your family in the future.
Skip. Such a wonderful, intelligent, genuine, kindhearted, witty warm neighbor and friend with unmatched zeal and zest for exploring and life. Letty, Brian, Julie and family, our hearts are with you.
Growing up, my sons loved taking care of the coral and fish tanks and stopping over to Skip and Letty’s with an occasional bug to identify. We will deeply miss you Skip. While on walks, our pup turns and wants to walk to your front door. Doug is honored to have played many years of tennis with you and to be one of your poker pals. Thank you for introducing us to fly-fishing. A toast to you Skip. May your kindness live on in all whom you touched.
My love to Letty, Brian, and Julie, on your loss of Skip. Letty and Skip lured me to Wooster in 1972 and were my away-from-home parents when I studied French literature at the College of Wooster. They were warm, welcoming hosts to me, my parents, and sisters. My parents always enjoyed staying at Letty and Skip’s house. Skip and my dad Sam compared notes on the lightest, airiest waffle recipe and their favorite wines. I babysat for Brian and Julie on my free afternoons and evenings. (Letty and her family had been my neighbors in South Jersey and Letty babysat for me and my sister.) Every time I came over, Skip showed me his latest additions to his aquarium and terrarium.
On the last job I held for 20 years at USDA/APHIS, I learned of Skip’s worldwide renown as a scientist. I met some of his former students who told me stories about their experiences in Skip’s lab. I learned about Skip’s counsel and review of research on citrus diseases and their insect vectors for NAS. Skip will be greatly missed by his family and by all who knew him.
The passing of Skip is a devastating loss to so many, especially to his family and friends, but to everyone who knew him, or knew about him from his scientific publications. He was a giant in science, with countless research discoveries and contributions, as well as long-term service to his professional scientific society and to his department, college, and university. But he also touched so many lives outside of his “day job”, especially through tennis and then fly fishing, as well as through his other hobbies. In many ways, he was larger than life, with infectious enthusiasm for everything that interested him. And very importantly, he was a wonderful mentor to so many individuals for decades, either formally or informally. He supported me throughout my career at OSU, especially as I was getting started in my first decade. Our joint research was so much fun. I greatly miss my friend.
My sincere condolences to Letty, Brian, and Julie.
I am very sorry to hear that Skip has passed away. I got to know Skip and his family when I was an exchange student in Wooster High in the 80’s. Not only did I stay with the family during some wonderful months, Skip and the family took care of me and helped me to fit into the community, introduced me to their wonderful friends and made me feel like family. It was the best time of my life and I will always remember it with longing and gratitude. Skip was a great man and I feel very fortunate to have known him.
I had the pleasure and honor to get to know Skip through my passion for fly fishing. He and I bonded over our Alaska fishing experiences. I live in Alaska and Skip and I always communicated and commented on each other’s accomplishments. I will miss our chats. RIP Skip and may your line always be tight😀🎣
George and I were very sad to hear of Skip’s passing. We enjoyed connecting with him as he walked the dog around the block. My last memory of him is that he showed me the new porch you had added to the back of the house. I hope he got to enjoy it in the time he had left. He was a wonderful person!
Linda Roberts (Susie’s mom)
Dr. Nault was my professor of entomology at Stone Lab the summer of 1992. It was OSU instructors like Dr. Nault, Dr. Horn, and Dr. Heady that gave me the confidence that there was a place for me in the study of biology. There must be many former students of his with the same sentiment. What a gift it is to have known him as a mentor, friend, and neighbor.
Skip was one of the reasons I accepted an offer to come to Ohio State. His impressive research proved to me that one could do good research at OSU. What a treasure he was to our department! We were in communication just a few weeks before he passed away. I treasure that memory. So very positive even as the end was nearing. Letty, children and grandchildren, please know we share your sorrow!
“Skip” Nault was for me my great professor and friend. Skip with the contributions in insect gave a legacy not only to the USA but also to Latin America. I was a former PhD student of Skip, and all the time we were in touch since 35 years ago, when I met him for the first time in Mexico. Thanks to Skip I am still working with great passion on the leafhopper Dalbulus!.
My condolences to Letty, Julie, Brien, and grandchildren.