BALL, Rachel Stutsman - Putnam

Tempe – Dr. Rachel S. Ball, 86, a pioneer child psychologist who was a professor emeritus at Arizona State University since retiring from the department of psychology in 1964, died Oct 23, 1980 in her home.  Dr. Ball, 38 E 15th St, designed the Merrill-Palmer Scale of Mental Tests, the first intelligence test for preschool children.  She was named the state psychologist of the year in 1977 by the Arizona Psychological Association.  Dr. Ball was director of research and joint head of psychology at the Merrill-Palmer Institute, Detroit, when she designed the intelligence test in 1931.  Before coming to ASU in 1947, she was with the psychology department at Goucher College, Baltimore.  She was born in Greencastle, Ind (note on 17 April 1894 to JO and Lida (Winslow) Stutsman) and earned her PhD from the University of Chicago after graduating from the University of Missouri. She wrote articles for professional journals and parent magazines and authored four books.  She was a past president of Arizona Psychological Association and was a Fellow of American Psychological Association, American Association for Applied Psychology Inc and American Association for the Advancement of Science.  She was a national honorary member of Pi Lambda Theta and served on the state certification board for psychologists.  Survivors include children, Lucy Mish and James and three grandchildren. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Double Butte Cemetery, 48th Street and Broadway, Tempe. – kbz