He graduated from St. Ambrose Academy in Davenport, Iowa. He joined Colonial Club and participated in Bric-a-Brac, tennis, boxing, and IAA sports. He majored in chemical engineering and graduated cum laude.
After four years as a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy with amphibious forces in the Pacific and on a destroyer in the Atlantic Fleet, he attended Northwestern’s MBA program. In 1958 he co-founded Twin State Engineering and Chemical Co., manufacturing and distributing liquid fertilizer in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
In 1959 Scott married Barbara Beckman, and they raised three children: Scott Jr., Peter, and Elizabeth.
Scott gave his time freely to the communities of the Quad Cities (Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa; Moline and Rock Island, Ill.), serving on numerous boards and in elected office. In later years, he and Barbara enjoyed tennis and golf at their winter home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Scott is remembered for his “mellow” competitiveness in all things athletic: squash, golf (particularly his lack of short-putting skills), tennis, skiing, water volleyball, and body surfing. One of his proudest moments was being joined by his grandson W. Scott Tinsman III ’14 in the P-rade at his 60th reunion and his grandson’s graduation.
Scott is survived by Barbara, their three children, and 10 grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his parents, sister Betsy, and brother Hovey ’53.