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George Byers Obituary

George William Byers, retired professor of entomology at the University of Kansas, died at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital on 1, January. He was born on 16 May 1923, in Washington, D.C., son of George and Helen (Kessler) Byers. The family moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he attended grade school and high school. He was second of eight children. During high school years, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout (BSA), served a year as editor of his high school's newspaper, and was chosen an outstanding high school student of the midwest, by the Chicago Tribune.

Early in 1942, when a student at Purdue University, he enlisted as a private in the Army, in field artillery, later attended officer training (OCS), and by the end of World War II was a first lieutenant. Following college training in biology and specializing in entomology at the University of Michigan, he was recalled to active duty, transferred to the Army's Medical Service Corps, and sent to Korea to head a research unit to study a regional disease called epidemic hemorrhagic fever, to determine its cause in military personnel and how it could be controlled. After a few other, brief periods of active duty, he retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel.

He married Lt. Gloria B. Wong, an Army nurse, on 16 December 1955, and together they raised three sons, in Lawrence: Bruce A. (born 28 Dec. 1958), Brian W. (14 May 1964] and Douglas E. (24 Dec. 1965). From a previous marriage, to Martha Esther Sparks, on 25 Feb. 1945, came son George W. (born 25 Feb. 1946, died 29 Apr. 2009) and daughter Carolyn S. (16 April 1948),

In 1956, he joined the Department of Entomology, at the University of Kansas, teaching systematic entomology, medical entomology, and some other courses, and curating the insect collection in the Snow Entomological Museum (later named the Entomology Division of the Biodiversity Institute of the University). He also taught a summer course in general entomology, alternate summers from 1961 to 1992 at Mountain Lake Biological Station, University of Virginia, and once at the University of Minnesota biological station, Lake Itasca. For more than 30 years his research was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation.

Twice he served as department chairman, 1969-1972 and 1984-1987. He retired in 1988 but retained office and laboratory space, where he continued research on crane flies and scorpionflies until the time of his death.

The family will welcome friends at a reception Saturday, 6 January, 2-4 p.m. at 2707 Oxford Rd. The family requests no flowers, but contributions in memory of George may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences made at rumsey-yost.com

Published by Lawrence Journal-World from Jan. 2 to Jan. 4, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
for George Byers

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He was an inspiration for me, and his habit of afternoon tea , and saying as long as I can sit up and take nourishment and his childlike wonder of the world of discovery made me see life as joy. I pinned bugs as college work study and have thought of him frequently through the years,

Jodi Gehring

Student

April 18, 2018

Dr. Byers was a man of great integrity, a dedicated scientist with extraordinary attention to detail, a marvelous and caring teacher, and he had an exquisite balance of a sense of humor and a sense of responsibility. Meeting him at the University of Kansas was a great and lasting influence in my life.

Martha Rosett

February 1, 2018

Dear Byers family: Dr. Byers was the external reader of my Master's thesis on Scorpionflies. The first question he asked me was if I had discovered the larvae of Merope tuber, which had been one of his objectives for many years. He gave me advise throughout my studies and even sent me drawings made by himself for me to recognize some of the species. I am sorry that a knowledgeable person like him had to pass. Please receive my deepest condolences.

Antonio Aranguren

January 12, 2018

My late husband Billy, and I, were amng many who came to know and greatly admire George from our times together at UVA Mt Lake Biologcal Station. He was a truly lovely man who made the world a better place and will be sorely missed by those of us privileged to know him.

January 12, 2018

Dear Byers Family:

Please accept my sincere condolences. George was a talented, gracious man. Our discussions were the highlight of my visits to the Snow Museum.

Stephen Wilson

January 11, 2018

Dear Byers family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I had the great pleasure to spend two summers at Mountain Lake learning from your dad in the late 70s. He was such a lovely man - smart, funny, curious, and patient with his students. I have so much admiration for his persistence in his work even in his later years and enjoyed corresponding with him at Christmas time. Even stopped in once to visit him in Lawrence many years ago. I have a wonderful nature photography book that he gave me and he wrote little notes throughout. I have always treasured it and my memories of him. He was my favorite teacher ever. May he rest now in peace.

Marian Rosenberg

January 9, 2018

Dear Bruce, Brian and Doug,

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Dr. Byers. George and you all have been my host family when I was a freshman at KU in 1972. I remember the kindness and warmness that your dad had provided me, and the holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween that I was invited to spend with him and the family. I have the good fortune to visit with him in May 2016 and have an opportunity to rekindle some of those good old days together. He has made such very positive impact in my life. His smiles, his kindness, and his Christmas letters and his beautiful drawings will be forever missed by all of us. My hearts and prayers are with you and your families.

Charles Wood

January 7, 2018

Bruce, Brian & Doug:
Christmas 2017 was the first year since 1967 when I graduated from KU with my M.A. in Entomology that I did not receive a Christmas newsletter from your father. This prompted me to look on-line and I was very saddened to learn that he had passed away on January 1st. George was my graduate adviser and later a cherished colleague. We corresponded on various matters entomological and he visited me at the university where I taught entomology for 31 years. George was a very humble, honest, genuine and conscientious individual. It was an inspiration to see how he continued to keep up with his entomological research ever since he retired, often in trying conditions as far as his health was concerned. I have very fond memories of my time with him as my graduate adviser at KU. He will be greatly missed by the entomological community, but particularly by his beloved family. My sincerest condolences to you all.
Don Hilton

Don Hilton

January 6, 2018

Bruce, Brian and Doug,

I am so sorry for your loss. I spent many days of my youth in your home and I have so many memories of you all. Your Dad was a great man and he was always so good to me. My best to you all and thank you for all the good times.

John Hardman

January 5, 2018

Dear Byers Family,

It with a saddened heart that I send you my deepest condolences for your loss. I count it as my loss as well since I always felt that George was one of the most important people in my own life. He was one of my teachers, research mentor during my years at Kansas University, and longtime friend. We never lost contact with each other and corresponded both professionally and personally since the 60s. George met my parents in New York when we made a 6 week field trip in 1957. He never forgot that visit and would refer to it in the years that followed. I have a photograph of him in my study and it serves to remind me of my good days in Lawrence, KS. Of course I knew his dear wife Gloria as well.

We have all lost a dear friend and a fine scientist, but our memory of him is a blessing.

Sincerely,
Saul Isaac Frommer

Saul Frommer

January 5, 2018

I'm sorry for your loss, my thoughts & prayers are with all of you.

Jenifer Janousek

January 5, 2018

Bruce, Brian and Doug, I met your dad on 3 of January 1973 at Snow Hall. I was fresh off the boat from Taiwan and was really struggling with my English. Your dad told me Chen, don't worry about your English, English is crazy, and you see we say things like Green Blackberries are Red. What he told me that day freed me up and he became my best professor, friend, mentor and my American dad. I think the only thing we disagree is between Pepsi and Coke. Miss you all

Chen Young

January 4, 2018

Julia Ingrassia

January 4, 2018

Julia Ingrassia

January 4, 2018

Dear Brian, Bruce and Doug, my deepest condolences for the loss of your father, until I read this, all I knew was he must be a wonderful man to have such amazing sons, now I see why, he WAS wonderful. I know your hearts are heavy, he can now, once again, watch over you and yours, from above, with your mother, from the most amazing place, heaven - just the word brings peace, restfulness and so much love. May you all feel God's deep love for you now.
Sincerely,
Julia Ingrassia

January 4, 2018

Dear Byers family, Please accept my most sincere condolences for your loss. George was a remarkable man. Although I have only known him through my role as a graduate student in KU entomology, he welcomed me into the "entomology family" of KU with an open heart (and open arms). He was kind and generous, always eager to help and offer advices, not just professionally but matters of life. He always wore an infectious smile and when he cracked up with his sense of humor, he wore the expression of a mischievous teenage boy. I often wondered where he got that from. It could only have been a learned trait from his boy scout years, right? I am grateful for an opportunity to see him one last time, on an Easter Sunday two years ago, thanks to my dear friend, Liz Smith. George was so gracious for our visit and, although hard at hearing, he offered us beautiful note pads which he collected in abandon (he was always a collector at heart), and we wrote back and forth. He loved his family and was constantly reminding others how thankful he was to have such beautiful life in big part because of his family. He loves entomology of course, but he was quick to remind me how lucky he was to have a family that "allow" him to indulge in his scientific wonder, and a wondrous soul he was he made great contribution to entomology and trained so many gifted scientists, many of whom are active in the field. I am most grateful for having the fortune of knowing him - a scientist, a caring family man, and an honorable gentleman.

Jennifer Hsieh

January 4, 2018

I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family.

Terry Lyman

January 4, 2018

I am so sorry to hear of George's passing. He was an excellent scientist but also a great guy and well-liked by so many in his profession.

Richard W Merritt

January 3, 2018

Dr. Byers was a second father to me. He brought me soup when I was not feeling well, he made exttra cookies just for me. I loved lunch time because graduate students got to hear such great stories from Dr. byers and from Dr. Michener. I was happy he kept the engraved Junk room sign I gave him on one of his organized stacks of paper in his office. He will be missed by so many. I am so saddened to hear of his passing, but so glad to have known him.

Marjorie Rothschild

January 3, 2018

Dear Byers family, I am so sorry for your loss. George had immeasurable impact on countless number of students, including me. He gave me my start and guided me through my Ph.D. graduate program and allowed me to reach the place I am now, guiding my own students. He was a world leader in the research of the insects he loved, crane flies and scorpion flies and his publications set standards for integrating natural history with taxonomy. I was so happy to have seen him in recent years while visiting Lawrence. He was always so upbeat no matter what life dealt him, and was blessed to have you all nearby.

Jon Gelhaus

January 3, 2018

So sorry for the loss of your father
We knew George for a long time what a
great person.

Dale and Darlene Miller

January 3, 2018

So very sorry for your loss. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family. Cherish the memories, you will have them for a lifetime.

Carmen Hocking

January 2, 2018

Dear Bruce and Brian and families,
Your father had a big influence on my life and I will always treasure his memory. My sincere condolences on your loss.

Fenja Brodo

January 2, 2018

So sorry to hear of "neighbor" passing. Interesting man/life.

Frank/Edna Day

January 2, 2018

Dear Brian and Family,
I am so very sorry to see that your father has passed away.
I remember your Mom and Dad so vividly and can't think of your Dad without having that big smile of his on his face. We were lucky to grow up in a neighborhood full of so many kind neighbors.
Remember thinking of your family whenever I rode my bike past your place on Princeton, and later whenever I drove myself over to my parent's place to visit.
My heartfelt condolences.

Elisabeth Stockhammer Ballou

January 2, 2018

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