M. Frank Mallette, 90, of State College passed away Monday, November 26, 2007.
Frank was born May 28, 1917 in Leon, Iowa to Frank G. and Isabelle Mallette.
He graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and from Columbia University with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biochemistry.
December 3, 1942 he married Ruth Heinl who survives at home.
After they moved to State College, he taught and performed research for over 25 years in the Biochemistry Department at Penn State University where he inspired and advised numerous students. Because of his work in the field of Biochemistry, Frank was featured in the book, Who's Who in America. One of his colleagues, Issac Asimov, modeled a character in one of his books after him.
Frank and his wife Ruth traveled to virtually every continent and could claim to have visited head hunters in Borneo, photographed African wildlife, driven a dogsled in Greenland, and successfully avoided becoming a meal for piranhas in the Amazon. He had many hobbies including photography, woodcarving and furniture making, gardening, studying history, and playing selections from his classical music collection at the highest volumes allowed by the law and his wife.
Frank was an active member of the American Philatelic Society and received many accolades and awards for his stamp exhibits. Frank was always ready to lend a helping hand, whether it was collecting plants to make Ruth homemade wool dyes, helping his daughters with their homework, or playing in the yard with his grandchildren who, in his later years, were truly the lights of his life.
In addition to his wife Ruth, to whom he was happily married for 65 years, he is survived by his brothers Gene, Charles and Robert Mallette; two daughters Ruth and husband Timothy Kohler and Beth and husband Aaron Duggan; his grandchildren Ryan and Shannon Kohler; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Private services and entombment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Youth Outreach Program of the American Philatelic Society, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com