Betty Eleanor Bartels Bates

at Brookdale of Oakwood. She was born on December 24, 1925 to Hobart and Eleanor (Combs) Bartels. She was a 1942 graduate of Oakwood High School, 1947 graduate of The Ohio State University, and fulfilled a lifetime goal by graduating from The University of Dayton School of Law in 1981 as well as successfully passing the Ohio Bar Exam. Betty married the love of her life, Bob Bates, and cherished the fifty-five years they were together: volunteering in the community, most significantly at the Dayton Art Institute as Board Members and Art Ball Chairs. Bob and Betty were an integral part in co-founding the DAI OktoberFest as a museum fundraiser.

Betty was a Girl Scout Leader, PTO member and Room Mother for her four children.

She was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Westminster Presbyterian Church and The Dayton Woman’s Club. She also was an avid gardener. Betty co-founded the first all female law practice in the City of Dayton, Bates, Riley, Sorrell & Tell.

Betty was preceded in death by her devoted husband and successful Dayton industrialist, Robert L. Bates and her younger sister, Carolyn Bosworth. She is survived by her four children Stephen (Cherrye) Bates, Linda (John) Heath, Catherine Brown, Libby (Jody) Totin, twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations may be made to The Robert L. Bates Endowed Fund at The Ohio State University, School of Chemical Engineering. https://www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/?fund=600359