PLATZ, Gustav Adolph

KOCH, PLATZ, MORTIMORE, GROVER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/25/2016 at 23:17:34

BIOGRAPHY ~ GUSTAV ADOLPH PLATZ
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa

Gustav Adolph Platz was born on September 22, 1885, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Franz Wilhelm and Marie Barbara (Koch) Platz. He was baptized into the RLDS Church at the age of 28 and worked as a rural schoolteacher in Nebraska before enrolling as a student at Graceland in 1916. Gustav had a hook for a left hand, which he had lost during a farming accident in his youth. After graduating from Graceland in 1918, he continued his education at the University of Nebraska where he received his bachelor of science degree in 1920.

Gustav returned to Graceland in the fall of 1920 as a member of the faculty, serving through the years a professor of botony, biology, zoology, hygiene, math and chemistry. He was a charter member of Graceland's Lambda Delta Sigma honor society, which organized during the 1920-21 school year.

After joining the faculty, Gustav continued his education at the University of Colorado, Iowa State University and Colorado State University, earning his M.A. [Iowa State University] in 1924 and his Ph.D. in 1928 [botany at Iowa State University].

Graceland's early science classrooms and laboratories, located in the basement of the Administration Building, soon became inadequate. Expansion and improvement of the facilities and equipment was hampered due to limitations on funding. Through the dedication and work of Gustav Platz [biology], Roy H. Mortimore [math and physics] and Morris Mortimore [geology], the science department was ultimately moved into greatly improved facilities located in the basement of Zimmerman Hall. The increased class and lab facilities at Zimmerman Hall gave the students increased scientific theory and expanded opportunities for applied experience. During these early years, most of the equipment was designed and built by Gustav.

As a scientist and a Christian, Gustav often tried to use religion and science together to explain phenomena. His creed was "The trust, as revealed to man"; he believed people should live by the truth they find in life through their experiences, be they religious or scientific.

On campus, Gustav was known as a man of academic curiosity, personal interests and humane consideration. The students called him " man of excellence." Off campus Gustav was a concerned citizen, serving as a member of the Lamoni School Board from 1934 to 1946. He served on the 1943 Postwar Planning Committee.

The Platz-Mortimore Science Hall, completed during the fall of 1955 and named in 1959, was planned in large part by Gustav. In addition to his classroom role, Gustav served as dean of facutly from 1953 to 1956 and became vice president in 1956. However, illness in 1956 forced Gustav tp soon leave that post and limit his teaching duties to part-time. He retired as professor emeritus in 1959.

Gustav died at the age of 75 years on June 6, 1961. Gustav married Nellie Grover who was born in October of 1888 in Blair Nebraska, and died September 15, 1974, Hampton, Iowa. Nellie and Gustav were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa.

SOURCES:

Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where. . . . An Informal History of Graceland College." Pp. 60, 93, 98, 101, 159-60. Venture Foundation. Lamoni IA. 1972.

Goehner, David. "The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z." Pp. 432-33. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

Rose Hill Cemetery transcription

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2016

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