Folsom Funeral Service

Dr. Lowell Vernon Coulter, a resident of Westwood for the past 33 years, and formerly of West Newton for 28 years, died Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 at the Clark House in Westwood after a long illness.  He was 95.  Dr. Coulter was born July 3, 1913 in Marion, Ohio, the only son of the late Emer Vernon and Nettie (Ault) Coulter.  He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Heidelberg College, earned his master’s degree from Colorado College, and earned his PhD in chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley.  His academic career began at the University of Idaho in 1940, but most of his career was spent at Boston University, where he was a professor of chemistry for over 35 years.  He served as chairman of the Chemistry Department for over 20 years at Boston University and was an active faculty leader.  He also spent a sabbatical leave at Oxford University in Oxford, England.  Dr. Coulter was a serious researcher and an elected member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  He distinguished himself early in his career as a group leader for the Manhattan Project.  His research throughout his career was focused in the area of thermodynamics.  Dr. Coulter was also a member of the First Unitarian Society in Newton since the 1940’s.  Horticulture was another of his passions, and he was a member of numerous gardening clubs andassociations.  His submissions to the New England Flower show and other exhibitions frequently won awards.  He enjoyed gardening and forestry at his summer farm in Oxford, Maine where he had been going for nearly 30 years.  Lowell was married for 63 years to the late Leona (Newcomb) Coulter who preceded him in death in December of 2000.  He is survived by his son, Michael N. Coulter of Marstons Mills, MA; his daughter, Andrea Hoffman of Amelia Island, Florida and Weston, MA; four grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.  After cremation private interment will be in New Westwood Cemetery in Westwood, MA.

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