Theodore Merrill Vestal

Theodore M. "Ted" Vestal, a former Oklahoma State University Political Science Full Professor and tireless Ethiopian emigré rights advocate, died on June 7 of natural causes. He was 89. 

A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria Avenue, Tulsa.

The son of a navy veteran and devoted homemaker, Ted grew up in Sherman, Texas, where he was an Eagle Scout, sang in the high school choir, and was president of the Key Club. Ted attended the University of North Texas, where he met his future wife, Patricia Botefuhr, whose family was from Tulsa.

Ted attended Yale Law School and Stanford University, receiving an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science. Ted also served as an officer in the Army Reserve. Ted taught at S.M.U. and worked for the University of California System before joining the brand new United States Peace Corps in 1963. Ted and Pat moved their family to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he was Associate Director of the Peace Corps. Ted maintained a dedication to the study of Ethiopia, authoring numerous books and articles. During the darkest days of the Communist government, Ted worked ceaselessly on asylum and amnesty cases, helping dozens of Ethiopians avoid torture and death. In 2018, Ted was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Star of Honor of Ethiopia byCrown Prince Ermaus, grandson of Emperor Haile Selassie.

Next, Ted moved to India, where he was resident director of the Educational Resources Center in New Delhi, before working throughout the 1970s as Dean of Continuing Education in his hometown at Austin College. In the 1980s Ted was a Senior Visiting Fellow at the University of Tulsa before finishing his career as Professor of Political Science at OSU from 1988 to 2008, where he mentored generations of students.

A trained classical vocalist, Ted's love of music landed him a college scholarship in voice, and over his lifetime he featured in numerous musical theater and Tulsa Opera productions. Above all, Ted was a friend to humanity, nurturing relationships with everyone whose life he touched, including family members for whom Ted was their "favorite Uncle."

Ted is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Patricia Vestal, three children, Suzanne D'Corsey, Edward Vestal, and Charles Vestal, and three Grandchildren, Jules Thomson, Rani Vestal, and Skyler Vestal.

Arrangements entrusted to Schaudt Tulsa Funeral Service.