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Anthony L. "Tony" Tovatt - 94
8/25/1915 - 6/19/2010

Muncie - MUNCIE Anthony L. "Tony" Tovatt, 94, died Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Westminster Village.

Mr. Tovatt was born August 25, 1915 in Sheridan, Wyoming to Daniel Alexander Tovatt and Kitty Martha Tovatt. He grew up near Rocky Ford, Colorado and attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, where he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees.

He began his teaching career in a rural one room, two year high school that had no running water, was lit by 'coal oil' lamps, and heated by wood. When he arrived, the school "library" consisted of Zane Gray's RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE and an algebra text dated 1887. He was the only faculty member.

In June 1939, he wed Patricia O'Fallon.

The United States entered WWII and Tony served as an officer in the 107th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron in France, Germany, and Austria. Upon discharge in 1946, he moved his family to Gunnison, Colorado, where he was a newspaper journalist until he entered the University of Colorado where he received his Doctorate in 1951.

He joined the faculty of Burris Laboratory School of Ball State Teachers College in 1951. Throughout his career, he published frequently in professional journals and did extensive research in English education. With wife, Patricia, and a select group of educators from universities around the country, Tovatt wrote and edited McGraw Hill's middle school and high school English textbook series from 1967 until 1985. Dr. Tovatt retired from Ball State University as Emeritus Professor of English.

Tony and Patricia had three children, Patrick Anthony Tovatt, Sharon Lee Ware and Sheila Kathryn LaChat; three grandchildren, Patricia LaChat Freeman, Owen LaChat and Daniel Tovatt; and one great grandchild, Sydney Freeman.

Memorial services will be held at The Unitarian Universalist Church, 4800 W. Bradford Drive, Muncie at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19th, 2010, with Rev. Thomas Perchlik officiating. Cremation has taken place.

Throughout his life, Tony cared passionately about those less fortunate than himself.

Memorials may be made to Friends Food Pantry, Friends Memorial Church, 418 W. Adams St., Muncie 47305.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.

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Beth and Paul Nahre - We want to offer our sincere condolences to the Tovatt family. Beth and I both had the pleasure of having Dr. Tovatt in class at Burris and we both believe that he was one of the best teachers we had during our education experiences. I also enjoyed knowing Dr. Tovatt on a personal level while my brother was part of your family for a brief while. We hope you all can take solace in the wonderful contributions that Dr. Tovatt left on his family and friends. Paul and Beth Nahre
6/15/2010 5:14 AM
Doug Black - Dr. Tovatt was an awesome teacher, the best of the best. He helped shaped the lives of many.
6/15/2010 9:16 AM
Gary K. Fadely - Dear Patrick and family, My memories of your father and mother are enduring, fond memories of good and faithful folks who respected and cared about folks no matter their age. Dr. Tovatt was my teacher. Patricia always had a smile for me and invited me into her home on those occassions that Patrick and I, as teenagers, were "playing" there. I had the pleasure of talking with your father two years ago. I read and enjoyed his book about life in southeastern Colorado and shared it with my sister, Connie. Patrick, I remember you and your folks with great fondness and, with your family, celebrate the life of your parents. They were an important part of the "village" that raised this child. I appreciated and loved them both. God bless and comfort you as you continue life's adventures. gkf
6/15/2010 9:47 AM
Joe and Julie Evans Whitlock - Dr. Tovatt was a huge influence in my life. His classes were so inspring that I chose to major in English with the idea of teaching at the junior high and high school level. I did get my degree in English but raised a family instead of teaching. My love of writing goes back to his classes. I also remember that he and his family were just a "good" family, caring for others, respecting those around them...Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. - Julie
6/15/2010 10:37 AM
Debra Gindhart Dragoo - Dear Anthony Tovatt Family, Wanted to send my love and prayers for your loss. A wonderful father, educator, and loving spirit. I so enjoyed my years at Burris Laboratory School with your father's instruction from the front of the classroom. As they say you never know how many lives an educator touches, well you may count me as one among hundreds, I am certain!! I have begun a Poetry Slam at Art & Soul by Phoebe Gallery, Muncie, IN. This Thursday night I plan on dedicating the evening to one of my heroes...Anthony L.(Tony) Tovatt. Respectfully, Debra Gindhart Dragoo & entire Gindhart Family
6/15/2010 1:10 PM
Matha Schneider Littell - I am very sorry to hear of Dr. Tovatt' s passing. He was a very special teacher who had the gift to make every student feel special. He was one of my favorites. Class of 1958
6/15/2010 1:28 PM
Bernie Seiler, Jr. - Dear Tovatt family - I would like to offer my condolences to all of you at the passing of your father. As a former neighbor on Hutchinson Ave. and as one of his many students at Burris, I remember his kindness and patience as an educator. As I'm sure you have heard before, he was one of the best. Take care.
6/15/2010 2:05 PM
S. T. Joshi - I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Anthony Tovatt. He was my English teacher for 9th grade at Burris (1972-73), and I'll never forget him. He was instrumental in my becoming a professional writer. I dedicated my first book, H. P. LOVECRAFT: FOUR DECADES OF CRITICISM (Ohio University Press, 1980), to him and to my other English teachers at Burris (Peter Goodell and Robert C. Rose). Please accept my sincerest condolences and best wishes. (Mr.) S. T. Joshi
6/15/2010 2:56 PM
Judith Wheeler - Patrick, I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I know from others what a wonderful teacher he was, but I was never lucky enough to be in his class. I hope you are doing well and will share my condolences with your family.
6/15/2010 6:10 PM
Betsy Williams - Burris '77 - My condolences - Tony Tovatt was my favorite teacher at Burris; he gave me the sense that he believed in me and gave me lots of great encouragement, and made me feel as though he understood my points, despite my unclear teenage ramblings at the time. He was wonderfully encouraging, a very special gem. He will be missed; he gave a lot to the world. My sympathies to all you, his family. ---Betsy-Dawn Williams, Burris Grad '77
6/15/2010 6:12 PM
Marianne Morgan - I was so fortunate to be a student of an outstanding teacher that truly enriched my life, as well as my education. His teachings will live forever in all of us. My thoughts are with you all. Marianne
6/15/2010 6:23 PM
Jack and Libby Loose - We were very saddened to hear the news. " Dr. Tovatt" was an excellent teacher, warm counselor, and friend when we were students. We greatly appreciate the fact that he consistently set high standards of excellence for his class but remained personally available if you sought assistance. What he taught us we have used throughout our lives. We have often thought, when trying to craft some lofty article, of the teachings of our Burris English instructor. Thank you Dr. Tovatt. We send our condolences to all of you in the Tovatt family. Pat, if you are ever in Huntsville, Alabama, please visit us. Sincerely, Jack and Libby Loose (Burris '58 and '57)
6/15/2010 9:53 PM
Bruce Burkhart - Dr. Tovatt was an inspiration to me...he encouraged me in my writing attempts. He was a truly decent man. I'm happy that he was able to publish his book, and enjoyed talking with him about it. Muncie, Burris, and the Tovatt family were blessed to have him.
6/15/2010 10:28 PM
Anthony Jeroski - Sherry & Family, Please accept my sincere condolences. Tony was a great and interesting individual. I always enjoyed his perspective on subjects of conversation. I will be in Chicago this weekend and will miss the service, however, my thoughts and prayers will be with you. Sincerely, -Tony
6/16/2010 9:05 AM
Ginny Cooley Jones - Dr. Tony Tovatt was a great teacher who taught us to think and also to care. I will never forget his telling of finding the concentration camp at the end of the war and the movie and books about the holocaust we went through in class. My love and prayers go to his family, Ginny Cooley Jones
6/16/2010 12:35 PM
Doug Myers - I’m saddened by Dr. Tovatt’s death. Some say longevity is in the genes, but a healthy manner of living probably helps a lot, too. I remember he was a regular jogger. In the early spring, when the track team practiced in “the hut”, Dr. Tovatt always appeared as we were leaving. I assumed that he was jogging because he believed in its health benefits. I see him in the misty past as the father of the Burris Media Lab, a technological wander for the Class of 70, a little before and a little beyond. Although now it seems primitive, the lab of audio and video tape recorders was very high tech, at least for a moment or two there. Of course, the idea of “high tech” had not entered our common vocabulary at the time, but objectively speaking it had that quality, and Dr. Tovatt was the mind and will behind it. So it is especially intriguing to read that he had lived and worked in such primitive conditions at an earlier stage in his career. The thought of people in such simple surroundings, getting the job done, living hard and getting by with the least possible, is inspiring and humbling. From that to the Media Lab was a technological eon, as immense as the one he must have seen since. Imagine the change he experienced, only in the speed of time. He was a reserved and thoughtful man. He walked quickly and carried a big mission. He finished the course. He brought two insights, that I know of, to his specialty, teaching students to write. One, writing is not something you can actually teach, but something you can help someone learn. Two, good writing is re-writing. He touched many students who have not forgotten him since and will not forget him hence. Doug Myers Burris class, 1970
6/16/2010 7:56 PM
Dora Laduron Acton - Dr. Tovatt family, I was really sad to read about his passing. I was really blessed to have him as my teacher in the 70's He touched so many of his students. My thought and prayers are with all of you. Dora Acton Laduron
6/17/2010 2:38 PM
The Cochran Family - Bob and I were just talking today as he wrote his biography for his 50th reunion about Dr. Tovatt. We all loved him and thought he was just a fabulous teacher. My Mom(now 91) and I visited at the dining room where they lived about 6 years ago and were fortunate enough to have a nice conversation with Dr. and Mrs Tovatt. I personally remember pleasant times at their home with Sharon. We honor him and hold the family in our hearts. Mary.
6/17/2010 7:32 PM
Peggy A. Cooley - I feel lucky to have known Tony Tovatt. That he was at Buris and a teacher like my father, John C. Cooley and a friend of the family was indeed a privilege. He made a terrific impact on so many people, whether students or the wider community and will be loved and respected in all our long memories.
6/17/2010 10:47 PM
Daniel Mayfield - I graduated from Burris in 1967 and not only had Dr. Tovatt as a teacher but had the pleasure of knowing the whole family. Some of my memories surround your house on Nichols close to Gene's Grocery Store when we lived in the left over WWII housing next door. BUT most importantly Tony taught me the most important thing about writing that anyone has ever done: READ WHAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN OUT LOUD TO YOURSELF BEFORE TURNING IT IN ! I did that in high school, I did that in college, I did that in law school, and I do it now with every brief or closing argument I write. MY love to you all. Dan
6/22/2010 7:29 PM
Kathy Kiefer Keil - Dear Pat, Sharon, and Sheila, Your father was the best, your mother, too. I am so sorry that I had been out of town and did not catch up with the paper until today. I want to add my condolences to the many others you will have received. Your parents' goodness will always be a part of you. Thankfully it was shared with us, too. Wonderful memories. Blessings, Kathy
6/24/2010 1:53 PM
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