Barbara Anne Stott

Dedicated to her science, Barbara Stott was one of the country's foremost authorities in the field of plastic-bonded explosives. She played a large role in the development of explosives used in the warheads of Sidewinder, Shrike, Sparrow, Tartar and other missiles during her 25-year career at the Naval Air Weapons Center China Lake. While there, she was awarded a patent for an elastomeric binder and named a Fellow in Ordnance Science.

In addition to degrees from UCLA and Occidental College, Stott received distinction for her achievements in mathematics and physics at Los Angeles City College. She was named to Phi Beta Kappa and a member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society of America.

Life outside the lab for Stott was never at a standstill. She tried every sport imaginable and was an avid hiker, skier, fisherwoman and biker. Her Labrador retrievers were her constant companions and accompanied her on backpacking trips with their own small backpacks to carry food.

Stott's love of the outdoors brought her to Chester, California, for retirement where she designed her home on Lake Almanor, adjacent to Lassen Volcanic National Park. She was an early adopter of solar energy, installing solar heating and a solar water heater in response to the energy crisis of the '80s.

The American Chemical Society was one of six charitable beneficiaries of Stott's revocable living trust. Her philanthropy extended to the causes she most believed in: the environment, animals and "chemists in need." A 57-year ACS member, she was most appreciative of the Society's support during her career. Stott's legacy gift to Project SEED will serve to develop the next generation of chemists.