Douglas Oldfather Abbott was a man of many interests and talents and enjoyed expanding these interests and sharing his talents.
He was born on November 30, 1941 in Columbus, Ohio, the youngest of three children of Dr. Kenneth Abbott and Helen Oldfather Abbott. He graduated from the Columbus Academy in 1959 and completed his undergraduate degree in Zoology at the University of Wyoming. He received his PhD in Microbiology from the Ohio State University in 1972 and accepted a teaching position at the Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky
His love of the West, from the years he spent in Wyoming, motivated him to accept a position in the Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciences. He became the Bureau Chief of the Laboratory Service Bureau prior to retiring in 1997. He also taught as an adjunct faculty member at Carroll College.
His retirement was brief and he accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as Director of the Food Emergency Response Network in Athens, Georgia. He retired from his position in 2009 and began his third career.
As a lifelong member of the American Society for Microbiology, he volunteered to share his expertise in a variety of projects in Tanzania and Ethiopia for the past eleven years.
Douglas was a proud member of the Helena Kiwanis Club and served as president in 1990.
He enjoyed music and sang bass in various community organizations such as the Helena Symphony Chorale, Musikanten Montana and in the choir at St. Mary Catholic Community where he was a parishioner.
His hobby was target shooting at the ranges around Helena.
He is survived by his wife Mary Lou, son Raymond and daughter-in-law Jilann and their children Matthew and Ashleigh; son Michael and his daughters Cassie, Noelle and Emily. He is survived by his brother William and sister Ann as well as nieces and a nephew.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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James Jones says
Mary Lou, Doug was one of the best bosses I ever had. I sure have missed him. Donna and I will be praying for you and your family.
wayne ziemer says
Doug was great boss and friend. He will be missed by everyone. His adventures were astounding.
Marge Foran says
Mary Lou and family so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you all.
Frankie Beacorn says
Mary Lou and Family – I am so sorry for your loss. I am grateful for the opportunity to know and work with Doug. So many stories and adventures. Tom and I will pray for you and your family.
Noreen Raynor says
Mary Lou, I was so saddened to hear of Doug’s death. He was a great guy and a wonderful boss. He will surely be missed
Take care and God Bless
Dr. Ed and Kim Newman says
Mary Lou and Family: Ed and I are are saddened to hear of your loss. We will keep you close in our hearts and prayers during this time of remembrance and eventual healing.
Shauna Roman says
Mary Lou and Family- I had the pleasure of serving with Doug on the AOAC Official Methods Board (OMB). I have such fond memories of dinners with Doug (and Mary Lou) during our face-to-face OMB meetings. I found Doug to be such an intelligent and interesting guy. He will be missed.
Erin Crowley says
Mary Lou, I am so sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. It was an honor to serve on the AOAC Official Methods Board with him and spend time listening to he and Jim Agin laugh for hours sharing stories. I will always appreciate his support and guidance and his exceptional knowledge of so many things he loved. My heart goes out to all of you.
Mike Fiedler says
Ray and family – we are sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Aphrodite Douris says
Doug’s work abroad after his retirement from FSIS was so inspiring. His work and smile will continue to be an inspiration. With deepest sympathies. Aphrodite Douris
John Szpylka says
Mary Lou and Family,
I knew Doug from the AOAC Official Methods Board and greatly respect his knowledge, ethics, and passion in what he did. During the social events at those meetings we all enjoyed trading stories which raised everyone’s spirits. My condolences to all of you.
Jane from Musikanten MT says
So sad to read about your Doug, Mary Lou. Words seem feeble right now, so just know we send you our gentle hugs and much love your way.
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
Our sincere sympathy to the Abbott Family. We very much appreciated Doug’s insight and dedication to the Helena Kiwanis Club, he will certainly be missed. Please know we are thinking of you at this difficult time.
Ellen Speranza says
Mary Lou I am so sorry for your loss. You and Doug were an inspiration to me with your devotion to the pursuit of knowledge and your devotion to each other. Blessings to you during this difficult time.
Dick Paulsen says
Mary Lou, dang it. Doug was a great guy, good friend, and truly a public health expert and advocate. I am so sorry you lost your best friend and know he is now in the arms of his savior. Peace and love.
Bill Cray says
Mary Lou, Paula and I were shocked to learn of Doug’s passing. We will always remember Doug as a man with encyclopedic knowledge, a kind disposition, a great sense of humor, and a smile always on his face. He will be missed by many. We are praying for you and your family.
Jeff and Kris Fife says
Mike and family. We are sorry to hear of your loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to you during this time of grief. May you be comforted by the support and love of so many friends and family.
Dennis Mock says
Dear Doug Abbott Famuly:
It was a privilege to see Doug at ur Helena Kiwanis Meetings, & other venues., and Chat with Him.! .. My loss that I just barely got to know him over the past couple of years; since I relocated from Indiana in late 2016…
Sincerely..
Nike Abbott says
Aunt MaryLou, I wish I could be there in person to celebrate Uncle Doug’s life. He will be terribly missed. Much love from Canada, Nike
Loren Bahls says
Mary Lou, Peggy and I send our condolences. And Doug, I will miss your good humor and enlightened presence. Wherever you go from here, I hope they have baseball and ‘Vitamin R’.
Carmeta Abbott says
Mary Lou, I have happy memories of 159 Jeffrey Place when we all lived nearby and were able to see you and Doug regularly. You and Doug seemed to create your own world and which you were happy singing and raising your children. I am thinking of you often and hoping your local friends and family are helping you through this hard time. Love, Betsy
Kathy Martinka says
When I first went to work at the Montana Public Health Lab many years ago, Doug had dreams to computerize the lab. His dream came true.
Michael Driscoll says
Dear Mary Lou,
I was very sorry to learn of Doug’s passing. Please be assured of my thoughts and prayers. I will celebrate the Eucharist this Sunday in Doug’s memory.
Fr. Michael Driscoll
Louis Sanford says
I was always pleased to discover that Doug was in attendance at our several Academy 1959 reunions, traveling as he did quite a distance from the West. He was a pleasant and obviously quite learned fellow and he will be missed by many. Lou Sanford
Greg West says
I remember Doug. He had a sharp with often original viewpoints, and could surprise you with little kindnesses. I’m sorry to hear of his passing.
Tally Krumm says
Our high school class was small and, sadly but inevitably, it keeps getting smaller. It also was a class of dispersal. We spread out cross the country, the world, to learn and work. We were so fortunate to have been free to find our interests and our passions and live them. On occasion over the past 60 years we have come back together just to be together again. Doug made at least two reunions and most recently a zoom get-together, and for a few happy moments he and the rest of us shared time and space with affection. When we reune again we will be without that trademark smile of Doug’s and his boundless good nature. But we will remember.
Darien Scott says
Mary Lou
Was so sorry to hear about Doug. I always enjoyed both of you so much in Musikanten Montana. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Darien Scott
Mary Cole says
Mary Lou I am so sorry for your loss. Doug will always be one of my favorite bosses. Fond memories of our time at DHES/DPHHS Lab. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda Almas says
Mary Lou and family,
I am so sorry for Doug’s passing. He is singing those happy bass lines with God in heaven. You are both such caring people and Our Lord is with you at this time. He carries us thru hardships. Linda and John Almas
Gordon & Sharon Stockstad says
Mary Lou we were so shocked and sad to hear of Doug’s passing. I will really miss singing with him and will always remember all the concerts we sang together. If there is anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Take care and know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lori Jeseritz says
Mary Lou,
I’m so sorry to hear of Doug’s passing!
Hugs to you and your family! You are in my thoughts and prayers! God’s blessings! ❤️🙏❤️
Rick Pyfer says
Mary Lou and family, I always enjoyed and appreciated Doug’s company and involvement in Helena Kiwanis events. His voice along with Ward Shanahan and others made a wonderful entry for Kiwanis for years in the Barbershop QUartet competition of the Y-Lympics. And, I rememeber him singing in the Cathedral choir. A bright and articulate man and a man of faith and service , he is surely being welcomed with open arms by my Dad and the many other loyal deceased Kiwanians friends in heaven. God bless you all as you mourn this great man’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steven T Benson says
Margie and I were saddened to learn of Doug’s passing. He will be greatly missed. He was a wonderful person and a great friend. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to know him and for all of the wonderful memories. We are praying for you and your family.