Frank Ibbott

Born July 21, 1921 in London England, Frank grew up and worked in London in the medical laboratory profession starting out at the London Hospital in 1937. At the outbreak of war in 1939 he was transferred to Claybury Emergency and Mental Hospital to set up a laboratory where he lived and worked, surviving the London Blitz of 1940/41. In December 1944, he went to the Maudsley Hospital in South London. It was here that he met and married Josephine, a marriage that lasted until her death in 2000. The couple lived in Higate where their first son, Geoffrey, was born. Then they moved to St Mary Cray, in Kent, where their second son Anthony, was born. Frank commuted by train to London where he worked at the Hospital for Sick Children at Great Ormond Street.

In 1957, Frank and Josephine and their two young sons emigrated to Denver Colorado, and together with Dr. Donough O'Brien, founded the Pediatric Microchemistry lab at the University of Colorado Medical Center, the first of its kind, and developed new and unique tests for babies. In 1967, Frank earned his PhD in Biochemistry and during the same years collaborated with O’brian and Denis Rogerson to publish the book Laboratory Manual of Pediatric Microbiochemical Techniques, currently in its 4th edition.

In 1968, the family moved to Woodland Hills California and Frank became a director at Bio Science Laboratories in Van Nuys, and worked with Dr. Richard Henry to contribute several chapters to the book Clinical Chemistry Principles and Technics.

Soon after, both he and Josephine pursued their interest in Scottish Country Dancing and both increased their involvement by becoming instructors. In later years, Frank served as the president of California IRB and took over Josephine’s work with medical illustrations for publications, and also contributed much of the typesetting and illustrations for the book Black Hole Gravitohydromagnetics, by Dr. Brian Punsly. Frank's hobbies included gardening and modeling with electric trains.

Frank is survived by his sons Geoffrey and Anthony, their wives Diane and Deborah, grandchildren Brian, Allison and Amanda, spouses Tina and Richard, and great grandchildren Tristan and James. He will be missed by his family and many friends. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., May 4, 2012 at Gates Kingsly & Gates Praiswater Mortuary, 6909 Canoga Avenue, Canoga Park. 818 348-3354