Dr. Daniel Boatright

Dr. Daniel Thomas Boatright Jr. passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023, after complications from surgery due to underlying medical conditions. Daniel was born to Daniel Thomas Sr. and Jessie Louise on December 20th, 1951 in McAlester, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by both parents and his sister, Dorothy McGee.

A registered member of the Cherokee Nation and a lifelong Oklahoman, Dr. Boatright was known for his boundless curiosity, his intellect, his humor, his keen sense of absurdity, and his deep commitment to family and friends. He was a modern-day "renaissance man"- a storyteller, a playwright, a scientist, a musician, an actor, a dancer, a chef, an engineer, an artist, and an educator to all.

Dr. Boatright graduated from McAlester High School in 1970 and earned a B.S. in Environmental Health from East Central State College, an M.S. in Environmental Health Engineering and a Ph.D. in Environmental Systems Management from the University of Oklahoma.

After completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Boatright spent most of his exemplary career in academics, retiring from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in July 2016. Over his 26-year tenure, he served as Senior Associate Dean and Presidential Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health in the College of Public Health and directed over 50 Master of Science students and 18 Ph.D. and DrPH candidates.

Dr. Boatright directed the graduate program in Public Health Preparedness and Terrorism Response and was Principle Investigator and Director of the Southwest Center for Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center (a program funded by the Centers for Disease Control) and the Public Health Training Center (a program funded by the Health Resources Services Administration). He was also a member of the Medical Reserve Corps and led teams in many natural disasters, including the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Dr. Boatright held Visiting Scientist credentials at Los Alamos National Laboratory for over 15 years, was a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in the United Kingdom, and was a member of Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society. Prior to joining the University in 1990, he spent over 15 years in the private sector in the field of environmental health engineering working with a wide array of local, state and federal agencies, especially the U.S. Public Health Service, Indian Health Service. Dr. Boatright maintained an endless commitment to public health, and during the COVID-19 pandemic came out of retirement, despite the risk, to advise the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

After retiring, "Grandpa Dan" found great joy in diverse activities. He was passionate about creative writing and found time to author and direct plays, performed extensively in community theater, and participated in all facets of the performing and visual arts. In retirement, he divided his time between Norman, Oklahoma and Wabeno, Wisconsin where he was happiest while buried in the chaos of his study, sipping wine during jam sessions at the Bistro, or just existing somewhere with a dog and a book nearby. He sang in the bass section of Norman's First Christian Church Choir, traveled extensively with his wife Linda, made wine, cooked, baked, played the Ukulele and other stringed instruments, and, in his words "struggled to complete the endless list of tasks enthusiastically provided by his lovely wife."

Daniel is survived by his wife, Linda, who was the center of his life, his source of joy and companionship, and for whom his love was unwavering. He is also survived by his children Jennifer, John and Christi Robberson, and James and Kelly Robberson; grandchildren Jackson, Tim, Everett, Emily, Asher, Caedon, Alina, Bella and Jaycee; and brothers and sisters in-law: Diane and David Margenau of Minnesota and Danny and Donna Youstra of Texas; as well as an extensive "family" of colleagues and friends with whom he managed to keep in close contact.

The world will have less light, insight, and laughter without Daniel in it, and he will be dearly missed.

A memorial service for Dr. Boatright will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 1 p.m. at First Christian Church in Norman, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be made to Second Chance Animal Rescue of Norman, OK.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Boatright family.