In Memoriam
2019
Our friend and colleague, Leroy Shilling, passed away on Thursday, 19 September 2019.
Charles Leroy Shilling was born April 25, 1941, to Georgia and Lee Shilling. He is survived by his wife Darlene, sons, Adam and Paul (Jenifer), daughters, Amy (Jim) and Keryl. He is also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Georgia, father, Thomas, sister, Barbara and son Kent Douglas. Leroy graduated from Live Oak High School in 1959, earned BS and MS degrees from LSU in 1963 and 1965, respectively. He earned a PhD from Texas A&M in 1971. Leroy served in Vietnam as a member of the US Army (1966-1968). Leroy spent his professional life teaching forestry at the University of Kentucky (1971-1977) and at LSU (1977-2011).
He was an active member of several Baptist churches, the most recent of which was Watson Baptist Church. Seale Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Watson Baptist Church Building Fund or the organization of your choice in his memory. Please sign the online guestbook at www.sealefuneral.com
2018
Arnold B. Smith (B.S.F. ‘60). Arnold B Smith of Poplarville, MS passed away on Monday, January 22, 2018 after a brave battle with Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 80. He was born January 25, 1937, in Magnolia Community to Olson and Lillie (Brown) Smith. He grew up in Stone County and attended the Magnolia School and graduated from Stone County High School and Perkinston Jr. College. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 1960 with a degree from the School of Forestry. After LSU, he was called up by the National Guard and served during the Berlin Crisis. Arnold owned and operated his own business, Arnold B Smith Timber Company in Poplarville, MS until his retirement. During his career as a Forester, he served as a member and as Chairperson of the Mississippi Forestry Commission.
Dr. Robert Rodney Foil (B.S.F. ’56; M.S. ’60). Dr. Rodney Foil died in his Starkville, MS home on February 4th, 2018 at the age of 83. Rodney was born on August 12th, 1934 in Bogalusa, LA to Rosa Green Foil and Odell Foil. He graduated from LSU with a BS in Forestry in 1956, an MS in Forestry in 1960, and a Doctorate in Forestry from Duke University in 1964. Rodney's career accomplishments in Forestry and Agriculture at LSU and Mississippi State earned him a reputation that has endured far beyond his retirement in 1999. At Mississippi State, he rose from Head of the Department of Forestry, to Dean of the School of Forest Resources, to Experiment Station Director, to Vice President of the School of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine. After retiring from MSU, Rodney served with the US Department of Agriculture for two years, earning recognition in the department's Hall of Fame. He is also memorialized at Mississippi State by the Rodney Foil Plant Science Research Center and with the Rosalind and Rodney Foil Teamwork Award.
2017
Arnold B. Smith (B.S.F. ‘60). Arnold B Smith of Poplarville, MS passed away on Monday, January 22, 2018 after a brave battle with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 80. He was born January 25, 1937, in Magnolia Community to Olson and Lillie (Brown) Smith. He grew up in Stone County and attended the Magnolia School and graduated from Stone County High School and Perkinston Jr. College. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 1960 with a degree from the School of Forestry. After LSU, he was called up by the National Guard and served during the Berlin Crisis. Arnold owned and operated his own business, Arnold B Smith Timber Company in Poplarville, MS until his retirement. During his career as a Forester, he served as a member and as Chairperson of the Mississippi Forestry Commission.
Salvo Verucchi (B.S.F. ’59). Salvo J. Verucchi “Tony”, 82, of Hot Springs, died on March 2, 2017. He was born December 29, 1934 in Natchez, Mississippi. Tony enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on June 3, 1952 when he was 17 years old, just after graduating from high school. Tony was elected captain of the boxing team where he was runner up as a middle weight in the Nevada State Golden Gloves in Las Vegas in 1955. While attending Hinds Junior College in Raymond, Mississippi in 1956 Tony won the Mississippi Golden Gloves Tourney. Tony graduated from Hinds Junior College in 1957 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Management from Louisiana State University in 1959. His first job was an Area Forester with the Mississippi Forestry Commission but moved to the U.S. Forest Service a year later. He worked 40 years with the Forest Service in different positions serving as a Forester, Assistant District Ranger, Deputy Director of Work. At Schenck Job Corp in North Carolina he served as District Ranger on three National Forests and a land appraiser until his retirement in 1999.
Charles “Sidney” Winters (B.S.F. ’60). Charles Sidney Winters passed away November 5th, 2017 in West Monroe, LA. Sidney was a 1960 Forestry graduate. He was a retired forester with Kitchens Brothers Manufacturing and May Timber, LLC.
Jefferson Davis Hughes Jr. (B.S.F. ‘49). Former Crown Zellerbach executive Jefferson Davis Hughes Jr., also known as "Jeff" or "J.D.," died on Thursday, June 29, 2017. He died peacefully at home in the arms of Betty, his loving wife of 67 years. He was born on April 10, 1924. He was a native of Hammond, LA., and he was the great-great-grandson of Peter Hammond, founder of the city. He was a long-time resident of Bogalusa, and resided previously in Hammond, Poplarville, MS, DeRidder, and Denham Springs, LA. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the U.S.S. LCI 442(G), participating in the invasion of Okinawa and the liberation of the Philippines. A graduate of Hammond High School, he attended Southeastern Louisiana University before WWII and received a degree in Forestry after the war from Louisiana State University. Hughes worked for 51 years for Gaylord Container Corporation and its successor companies Crown Zellerbach, Cavenham, Hanson, and Weyerhaeuser. He retired in 1986 from Crown Zellerbach as Manager of Environmental Services and Association Affairs, served as a consultant for Cavenham and Hanson, and retired again in 2000 as Manager of Government Affairs for Weyerhaeuser.
While employed by Crown Zellerbach, he was chosen to travel to Brazil to evaluate the possibility of starting an operation in that country. He was also chosen by the Secretary of the Army to serve on a three-member Blue Ribbon Panel to advise the Army on management of its national resources at military and civilian installations. He was called as an expert witness in many civil cases and testified before Congress many times on forestry matters. He was frequently called on by the forestry community for his vast knowledge and experience, as comfortable talking to loggers and tree farmers as he was to executives and members of Congress.
In 1967 Hughes was named "Outstanding Alumnus of the Year" by the LSU School of Forestry. He was a former President of the Louisiana Forestry Association and a charter member and first President of the Tangipahoa Forestry Association. He was a member of the Washington Parish Forestry Association and the Mississippi Forestry Association. He was a Fellow of the Society of American Foresters and served on its National Council, serving also as Chairman of its Gulf States Section, receiving its Distinguished Service Award. In 1977 he received the President's Award from the Southern Forest Institute. In 2010 Hughes was the first non-academic elected to the Louisiana State University School of Renewable Natural Resources Hall of Fame. In 2016 he was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by the LSU College of Agriculture.
John Milton Webb (B.S.F. ’43). John Milton Webb passed away at his home in Daphne, Alabama on July 24, 2017. He was born in Atmore, Alabama on October 21,1919 and was a graduate of Escambia County High School Class of 1938 and Louisiana State University College of Agriculture Class of 1943 and a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was a U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet, Pass Christian, Mississippi, 1944 and was on ships during World War II in the Atlantic War Zone and the Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone. Following the war, he was employed by International Paper Company (Woodlands Dept) for 38 years living in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. He was Secretary-Treasurer of the Gulf States Section of the Society of American Foresters and of the Texas Chapter. While living in Nacogdoches, Texas he was chairman of The Texas Tree Farm Committee and in 1964 received an award for personally enrolling over 100 timberland owners in that program to promote good timberland practices. In his retirement years, he moved back home to Alabama where he lived in Daphne. His life was spent walking in the pine forests of the south and as he grew older he walked the hills of Lake Forest and could climb the bleachers at Daphne High School way into his 90's.
Billy Carson Bond (B.S.F. ’57). Billy Carson Bond died on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at the age of 84. He was a native of Columbia, Mississippi and a resident of Monroeville. Following graduation from LSU, in 1957, he and his wife, Evelyn resided in Sylacauga, until 1965. During this time, he was employed by Coosa River Newsprint Company. He and Evelyn enjoyed fond memories of the Sylacauga community and their many friends there. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Mississippi National Guard and served during the Korean conflict. He was a graduate of Louisiana State University in Forestry and a registered Forester in the State of Alabama. He graduated from Jones Law School in Montgomery with a Juris Doctor degree in Law and was a member of the Alabama Bar. He spent his career in the forest products industry. During his distinguished career, he held the notable positions of Corporate Vice President of Hammermill Paper Co. Inc.; President of Allegheny Railroad, Inc.; and President of Harrigan Lumber Co. Inc. He retired as President of Alabama River Woodlands, Inc. in 2000.
Orville Hervey “Doogie” Darling (B.S.F. ’50). Orville Hervey (Doogie) Darling of Crossett, AR was born June 28, 1928 in Fordyce, Arkansas and died September 23, 2017 in Little Rock, AR. He was a graduate of Fordyce High School, The University of Arkansas at Monticello, Louisiana State University, and held a master’s Degree in forestry from Yale University. He retired in April 1994 as Forest Resource Regional Manager for Georgia Pacific Corporation after 44 years of service with Georgia Pacific and a predecessor company, Fordyce Lumber Company. He was presented Georgia Pacific’s Distinguished Service Award in 1983 in Atlanta, Georgia and UAM’s Achievement and Merit Award for Alumni in 1993. He served many years on the Arkansas Forestry Association Executive Committee and served as President in 1988 and 1989. He was appointed to the Arkansas State Forestry Commission in 1994 and served as Chairman in 2002-2003. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for Deltic Timber Corporation of El Dorado, AR from 1996-2008.
In 2005, he was inducted into the Arkansas Foresters Hall of Fame. In 2006 after several years of research he wrote a book entitled A History of the Mills, Logging Camps and Early Forestry Operations of Crossett Lumber Company. It was put in the Yale Forestry Library, University of Arkansas at Monticello Library and the Crossett Public Library. In 2008 he wrote Fordyce, Arkansas: A History of the Town, and its Forests, Timber and Mills.
Ernest George Miller,Jr. (B.S.F. ‘58). A resident of Lafayette, George Miller passed away on September 27, 2017 at Magnolia Estates Nursing Home. He was born in Soengei Gerong, Sumatra, on July 6, 1935. After graduating from Baton Rouge High School and LSU, he was employed by the Louisiana Department of Forestry. In Lafayette, he aided in the planting of trees for the development of the Acadian Village through Civitan International. He served on the Vestry at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Lafayette. His hobbies included fishing and hunting, and he took great pride in his vegetable gardens. Though the last 3 years took its toll on his health, he always kept a great sense of humor which will be sorely missed. Survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Jane (Robinson) Miller, 3 sons: Kenneth A. (wife Judy) of St. Francisville, Wendell N. (wife Jacqueline) of Lafayette, and Eugene R. (wife Mina) of Kentwood, 1 granddaughter, Whitney J. Miller of St. Francisville, and sister, Mrs. Richard Stone (Kathleen) of Baton Rouge. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest G. Miller, Sr., and Leola Denny Miller. A memorial service will be held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church at 400 Camellia Boulevard in Lafayette on Thursday, October 5th, at 2 pm. The service will be conducted by the Reverend Doctor Mitzi George. A reception will be held at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the . Arrangements entrusted to the Neptune Society of New Orleans.
Purvis R. Huff (B.S.F. ‘52). Purvis R. Huff was born on October 23, 1926 in Amite County Mississippi. He attended Crosby High School and later graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Forestry. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1944 and served until the end of World War II. Mr. Huff enjoyed a lifetime career as consulting forester, managing timberland throughout the Southeast and cultivating lifelong loyal relationships with many a landowner for more than 50 years. He was the owner of Forestry Consultants, Inc., and was a pioneer in the business of forest management and conservation practices.
Dr. Wu-Hsiung “Ernest” Hsu (M.S.F. ’72). Dr. Wu-Hsiung “Ernest” Hsu, known to many as "Ernie," passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully on Christmas Day 2017 in his daughter's and son-in-law's home in Seattle, WA. He was 75. Ernie was born in Keelung, Taiwan on November 3, 194, graduated in 1967 from the National Taiwan University with a B.S. in Forestry followed by an M.S. in Forestry. He received a hard-earned scholarship to Louisiana State University where he earned an M.S. degree, then went on to earn an M.S. degree from University of Illinois, then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from Washington State University. Ernie was a dedicated and brilliant scientist, building a career in engineered wood products, specializing in oriented strand board (OSB). Ernie was awarded over 15 original process, equipment, and product patents related to wood composites in the U.S., Canada, and European Union for his innovations and advancements in engineered wood products that will continue to improve lives through better and more affordable building construction. Ernie is a fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science. We are so fortunate that Ernie was able to leave his legacy and share his deep technical knowledge by publishing two books that have been read and studied worldwide. Ernie loved his work and persisted as a dedicated and unrelenting scientist; he continued to provide technical advising to OSB manufacturers right up until his passing, having just returned from a business trip providing consulting services in Malaysia and China two days before his passing.
F.N. "Nick" Margrave Jr. (B.S.F. ‘48). Fred Nicholas (Nick) Margrave, Jr. was born on August 22, 1926, to Fred and Wilhelmina Hart Margrave, Sr. Growing up in Little Rock, Nick was a proud graduate of Catholic High School, where he excelled in sports and was named an all-state football player. Blessed with an inquisitive mind and a great appreciation for education, he attended Little Rock Jr. College (now UALR); where he met the love of his life, Martha Elizabeth Smith. He graduated from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!), where he was a forestry major and a member of Theta Xi fraternity. He later received a Master of Institutional Management from Southern Arkansas University. He worked for International Paper Co, Woodlands Division, as a forester and in safety management, for his entire career.
2016
George Arthur Johnson (B.S.F. ’60) passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at East Jefferson General Hospital. George grew up in Bogalusa, Louisiana. where he graduated from Bogalusa High School in 1956. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 1960 with a B.S. Degree in Forestry. George then began his 55 year-long career as a manufacturer’s representative for a national tire company. He was also the owner/operator of Bogalusa Discount Tire Store since 1973. George was very involved with Bogalusa Downtown Business development projects and served on its Board. He was a Charter member of the Magic City Carnival Association. George was loved by many family members and friends, who remember him as being positive, cheerful, enthusiastic, loyal and one who always found the good in other people.
Lewis Carroll Peters (B.S.F. ’50) passed away on February 22, 2016. He was very much loved and admired by all of his family, friends and nearly everyone he came to know. A true southern gentleman, he never met a soul that he could not find something in common with and treated everyone he encountered with the same respect and courtesy as the next. This world is a better place because he was here. He was born in Baton Rouge on November 14, 1929 and graduated from Baton Rouge High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Louisiana State University in 1950 and a master’s degree in Forestry in 1951 from Yale University. Lewis was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1950, and in 1952, during the Korean conflict, was called to active duty. He remained on active duty until August 1954 and served in the Air Force Reserve until 1958 with an honorable discharge as a captain. He was a retired forester, pending most of his career as a Consulting forester and a co-owner of the forestry consulting firm Bennett & Peters Inc. until 1997. After retirement from Bennett & Peters, he worked part-time with his son Warren at Peters Forest Resources Inc.
Robert Bascom Martin (B.S.F. ’54; M.F. ‘61) passed away March 10, 2016. Robert was born October 22, 1930 in Norfield, Mississippi. and grew up in Baton Rouge. A proud graduate of Louisiana State University where he received a B.S. in Forestry Management, an M.S. in Business Management and pursued studies toward a Ph.D. Following graduation he worked briefly for International Paper Company before joining the U.S. Army where he served in Aberdeen, Maryland, in the recovery and handling of explosives. He then joined the Army Reserves and served for 28 years, retiring with the rank of colonel. After the military, he worked at the Kennedy Space Center where he retired in 1996 as Manager of Life Support for EG&G, responsible for all astronaut protective clothing. He was most proud to have received the Outstanding Engineering award from NASA, the only non-degreed engineer to have received this award.
Samuel Nathaniel Saxon (B.S.F. ‘61) of Tupelo, Mississippi, died April 28, 2016, surrounded by members of his loving family. A former Marine Corps. sergeant, and member of the Tupelo Chapter of the Marine Corps League, Mr. Saxon followed Marine Corps discipline in his daily life. He always kept himself in top physical condition, working out on a regimented schedule. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in forestry. He pursued his passion for the outdoors as a professional forester serving the U.S. Forest Service and the Mississippi Forestry Commission, from which he retired after more than three decades of service. After his retirement, he continued this passion working from time to time on his farm in Chickasaw County, Miss., which has been in the Saxon family since the early 1800s.
William “Bill” Read (B.S.F. ‘77) of Covington, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. He was 61. Bill was born on December 7, 1954 in Miami, Florida. The glory days of Bill’s childhood were spent in Cedar Key, Florida, starting in 1965, where he attended and eventually graduated from Cedar Key School. While there, Bill enjoyed fishing on his family boat, the wooden Sea Dragon, and played many a prank with lifelong friends. As a child, Bill was a star athlete, playing football and basketball during Les Robinson’s time at Cedar Key School. Eventually, Bill moved to Baton Rouge where he attended Louisiana State University and graduated with B.S. and M.F. degrees in forestry. After college, Bill spent several years working to preserve the outdoors before settling into financial services within Merrill Lynch’s New Orleans office. Bill’s family most fondly remembers him as a true mountain man who often hiked, fished, golfed, camped and bird watched. Bill also had a profound appreciation for music, which he inherited from his parents, and a wild sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by many.
Hugh Montgomery Burnham (B.S.F. ’50, M.S. ‘65) passed away July 13, 2016. Hugh was employed with Bodcaw Company in Jena, Louisiana, as a forester from 1950-1980. He was promoted to executive vice president in charge of lands, fiber and agriculture. International Paper purchased Bodcaw, and he was transferred to Shreveport, where he was employed as regional manager, then general manager from 1980 to 1991 for fiber supply for all IP mills. He retired from IP in 1991 and was employed as a consultant for TL James Company for a number of years. Hugh served as president of Jena Kiwanis Club, as chairman of the LaSalle General Hospital Board of Directors and worked with the Boy Scouts. He loved to travel by RV, cruises and especially by Amtrak. His other hobbies through the years were fishing, golfing, gardening and especially reading.
Hugh Raymond Pardue, Sr. (B.S.F. ’50) of Greenwell Springs, Louisiana., passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2016, after a brief illness. Raymond was born in Baton Rouge on July 28, 1925. He graduated from Istrouma High School in 1943 and from Louisiana State University in 1950 with a degree in forestry. He owned and operated a retail nursery and landscaping company for over 35 years in Baker, Louisiana.
Greg Barbe (B.S.F. ‘95) died Thursday, July 28, 2016, in an accident while working alone on family property. Greg was an Angel Runner with Ainsley’s Angels. Through countless volunteer hours, and as an ExxonMobil Science Ambassador, he was able to secure multiple grants for the Zachary Community School System. Greg was a selfless, enthusiastic and energetic man. He would do anything for anyone. He enjoyed spending time with his family hunting, fishing and traveling. He had an unparalleled energy and a joy for life.
2015
With sadness we share with you that Dr. Paul Y Burns passed away on Monday, 5 January, 2015. Dr. Burns joined the faculty of the School of Renewable Natural Resources (formerly known as the School of Forestry) in February, 1955 as Director - a position he held until stepping down in December 1976. Serving LSU for 31 years, he taught one undergraduate class every year he was director. In retirement, he continued spending time weekly at his LSU office until age 90+, reviewing student and faculty papers, organizing alumni information, and providing departmental history. He will be greatly missed.
A rememberance of Dr. Burn's life, and his obituary, are available.
Reed Huckabay (B.S.F. ’98) died April 2015 after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Reed was known for his passion for forestry and the outdoors. He grew up on a farm in Armistead developing a work ethic that served him well in his career. He formed many lasting relationships with those in the timber industry and became an expert on oil and gas exploration in the area. Reed was a forester for RoyOMartin®, working in the Campti district for more than 15 years. He was 41 years old when he passed away.
James “Alan” Vaughn (B.S. ’75, M.S. Wildlife ’77) passed away on May 31, 2015. Alan retired on May 1, 2015 from his position as a county agent for Plaquemines Parish. He graduated from LSU with a B.S. in forestry in 1975 and an M.S. in Wildlife Biology in 1977. Alan dedicated 37 years of his life to the AgCenter starting in August 1978 as an assistant county agent for Jefferson Parish. In addition to his horticultural work, Alan worked with the 4-H and adult services programs and served as parish chair of Plaquemine Parish over the years. He co-authored many papers on the control of invasive insect populations in southeast Louisiana. A memorial service was held on June 4, 2015 in Pasadena, Texas.
John Barry Crain (B.S.F. ’68, M.S. Game Management ’70) a resident of Deville, La. passed away on May 27, 2015. Barry, 69, was a native and former resident of Franklinton where he graduated from Franklinton High School in 1964. He worked for more than 40 years in wildlife and forestry management in various locations including South Carolina, Alabama and later in central Louisiana. Barry’s favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, playing golf and watching and listening to LSU sports. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and visiting with his many friends. Barry will be sadly missed by all those that knew him.
Dr. Wendell Joseph Lorio (M.S. Fisheries ’64), Extension professor, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2015 at the age of 75. Dr. Lorio ran the Salvinia Weevil Project at the Bob R. Jones-Idlewild Research Station since June 1, 2011. Dr. Lorio previously worked as a specialist for the AgCenter from February 1991 through June 1995. He is survived by his wife Juanita Bozeman Lorio of 51 years. Wendell will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Lauren Smith (B.S. NREM ’14) passed away on 12 November 2015 as a result of a serious car accident which caused massive internal injuries. She was beautiful, smart, creative and athletic. She made many friends everywhere she went. She lived life to the fullest in her short time with us and enjoyed many different activities but loved her family, her boyfriend, John, friends, Ultimate Frisbee, painting, nature and animals – her dog, Roux, and cat, Rocket, the most. Lauren was a member of the Sigma Phi Lambda Christian Sorority; the LSU Mixed and Women’s Ultimate Frisbee team of which she was a charter member and co-captain and treasurer for two years; and an intern at Lake Ray Roberts State Park during the summer of 2011. Lauren graduated from LSU in May 2014 with a bachelor’s in Renewable Natural Resources with an emphasis on Wildlife Biology. On Oct 1, 2014, she became an operations park ranger in training at Lake Ray Roberts State Park. I think we can all agree that Lauren was a girl who lived life to its fullest. She had a compassion for the environment and devoted her life to its preservation. When reminiscing, one of our fondest memories of Lauren is the time she started to tell us about her tattoo. She was so excited to get the beautiful wildflowers of Texas on her arm. Like the flowers, her beauty and love of life shined daily.
2014
Eric Daniel Howell (BSF 1983) passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at the age of 52. He was a native of Metairie, LA. and a resident of Baton Rouge, LA., where he served as Scout Executive/CEO of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a Professional Boy Scout for over 30 years. Eric exemplified the life of a true Christian and model Scout. He was valedictorian of St. John Prep High School in New Orleans and earned the title of Eagle Scout during his high school years. He was a graduate of LSU in Baton Rouge, LA in Forestry and Wildlife Management. He had the innate ability to always make others happy and welcomed. His smile and love of life was infectious. He loved his God, his family, and friends, scouting, fishing at the camp, racquetball, traveling, and making others happy. Donations may be made to Istrouma Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, 9644 Brookline Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA. 70809 or a charity of your choice. Family and friends may sign the online memorial or leave a personal note to the family at Resthaven Memorial page.
Thomas J. Hess, Jr. (MS, wildlife, '75) passed away on 11 March 2014. Bob Chabreck was his MS degree advisor.
Obituary - Thomas J. Hess, Jr. Lake Charles - On March 11, 2014, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge and Cameron Parish lost a champion for the outdoors, Thomas J. Hess, Jr., age 63, passed away at his residence. Tom was born in Wilmington, Delaware, where he learned to hunt and fish and developed his love and passion for the outdoors. He was a graduate of Louisiana Technical University with a B.S. Degree in Wildlife Management and later went to LSU to receive his Master's degree in the Wildlife Management. His love of the great outdoors, with everything that it has to offer helped him in 1972 when he was hired as a Biologist Assistant at Rockefeller Refuge. In 1975, Tom accepted employment with Little Pecan Properties as the General Manager and the Wildlife Land Manager. Being a wildlife biologist allowed him the opportunity to work with Bald Eagles, Brown Pelicans and the Whooping Cranes reintroduction back to the Southwest area. His main passion was for the ducks in that habitat area of 75,000 acres he called "the Center of Duck Universe." He concluded his career as Program Manager of Rockefeller Refuge in Grand Chenier, LA. Tom was a mentor and roll model for his sons, grandchildren, community and the people he worked with. He showed what it meant to pursue your dreams and passion.
Those left to cherish Tom's memory are his loving wife of over 40 years, Charlotte Beach Hess of Lake Charles; his sons, Brandon Hess and wife Renee of Lafayette, LA and their children, Camryn and Andrew Hess and Timothy Scott Hess and wife Lacie of Laccasine, LA and their children, Taylon and Kaden Hess; and his two sisters, Marsha Stroud of Melborne, FL and Maureen Hess of Englewood, FL. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Dorothy Hess, Sr.
In lieu of flowers, Tom requested donations be made to the Whooping Crane Foundations. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com
Don McFatter (BSF, 1949) Don was born on March 28, 1926, to John and Nannie Moore McFatter in Sugartown. He was a native of Sugartown and graduated from Sugartown High School in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 until 1946 with service in the Pacific Theatre. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry in 1949. Don was employed in 1949 by the Louisiana Forestry Commission and served at every supervisory level including the State Forester's position as head of the agency.
He retired in 1984 with 35 years of service. Eighteen of those years were spent in DeRidder as District Forester over Beauregard, Vernon, and Calcasieu Parishes. Don logged over 2300 hours flying fire patrol over Southwest Louisiana reporting fires and directing fire crews action on those fires. He led five crews with trucks and tractors into Cameron following Hurricane Audrey arriving in Cameron 18 hours ahead of any similar help including the Army.
Don received in 1960 the Charles E. Dunbar Career Service Award in recognition of distinguished public service. During 1969 - 70 he served as Rotary International District Governor for Rotary District 6200. Don served as president of the National Association of State Foresters during 1979-80 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of State Foresters and L.S.U. School of Forestry Alumnus of the Year in 1984. Don retired in 1984 and moved back to DeRidder in 1990.
Don died Friday, March 7 in Alexandria. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bobbie Batchelor McFatter of DeRidder; one daughter, Donna Miller and husband Wade of DeRidder; two grandchildren, Stacy and wife Melissa and Mark and wife Kari and 5 great grandchildren.
Don became a Lifetime Member of the Louisiana Forestry Association in 2003. He used his woodworking skills to build the photo frame holders on the walls at the LFA office.
2013
Dr. Robert H. Chabreck passed away on 30 December 2013. His personal life focused on family, hunting, and all things LSU sports. Dr. Chabreck was a retired Professor of Forestry and Wildlife in the School of Renewable Natural Resources. He was regarded as an expert on wetlands and marsh management with special emphasis in the area of plant and animal management in the coastal zone. Dr. Chabreck possessed a vast deal of experience in marsh management and pioneered many of the research techniques currently used today. He was a past recipient of the Louisiana Governor's Award - Conservationist of the Year as well as the Governor's Award for the Louisiana Conservation Educator of the Year. A rememberance of his life, and details about services for Dr. Chabreck are available online.
Dr. Stanley B. Carpenter passed away on Tuesday, 20 August 2013 in Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Carpenter was the Director of the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources for nine years, from July 1988 to September 1997. A rememberance of Dr. Carpenter's life and his obituary are available online.
Santiago "Sonny" Porcella (BSF 1942) Passed away on 19 January 2013. Among his life's work includes being past President of the New Jersey Society of American Foresters, past President of the New Jersey Soil Conseration Society, and chairman of the New Jersey Tree Farm System, member of the NJ Forestry Association, and various Historical Societes. View Santiago "Sonny" Procella's obituary.
2012
Dr. John Adams passed away November 14, 2012. He was a retired professor and director of the School of Forestry at Louisiana Tech University. He earned a BSF ’69, MS Forestry ’73, and PhD Forestry ’76 all from LSU. View Dr. Adams' obituary.
Maurice Frank Hamm (BSF 1954), Selmer, TN
Michael Kelly, Jr (BSF 1965) Dagsboro, DE
2011
Donald Louis Harper (BSF 1948) died on May 28, 2011 at the age of 79. He was a native of Monticello, Ark. and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was employed by Regions Bank for 30 years in Mobile, Ala., serving as vice-president and woodlands manager in the Trust Department. He was secretary of the southeast section of the Society of American Foresters. He is survived by his wife, two sons and five grandchildren.
Larry Hartzog (M.S. Fisheries 1975) of Mandeville, La. passed away on January 24, 2012 at the age of 65. His major professor was Dr. Fred Bryan. Larry had a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and recently retired with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Throughout his career he had professional relationships with many RNR faculty members. He was a strong supporter of the school and a friend to all he met. He was also an ardent jazz enthusiast and a member of Mystic Krewe of Brew. He will be missed.
Larry Eugene Miller (BSF 1977) died on January 8, 2011. He worked for 30 years with CLECO, serving as Administrator of Land Management. One of his projects was the restoration of 2,800 acres of land, where he passionately worked with Ducks Unlimited and Wheeling Wings to provide duck hunts for handicapped persons. He was a member of Xi Sigma Pi (the forestry honorary society) while attending LSU.
Harold Logan “Pat” Molloy (BSF 1939) died in 2011 in Crosby, Miss. He was the owner of Molloy Timber Co. and he was married and had three children.
Michael E. “Mickey” Richardson (BSF 1967) died July 13, 2011, at age 65, at his home in Holden, La. Born in Baton Rouge, he was a state-registered forester and worked for Cajun Contractors. He was an Army and Air National Guard veteran.
Milton E. Robinowitz (BSF 1942) died in 2011 in Richmond, Texas. He was a self-employed rancher and implement dealer in Richmond. He had three children. During his senior year at LSU he was president of the forestry club and an officer in honorary fraternities Alpha Zeta and Xi Sigma Pi.
George Wright (BSF 1939), passed in October at 96 years of age. He was active until the end, and followed The Tigers all the way.
2010
Robert E. Noble, B.S.F. ’57, M.S. in game management ’58, Ph.D. Michigan State, died on November 10, 2010, at the age of 75, in Crockett, Texas. Born in Mississippi, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Dr. Noble was a professor in wildlife and forestry at LSU for 28 years, until his retirement. He traveled extensively in Alaska in his wildlife studies. He received the National Amoco Foundation Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching. In 2009 he was inducted into the Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Alumni Association Hall of Fame.
Robert G. Merrifield, ’58 M.F., died January 30, 2010 at College Station, Texas. He earned his B.S. at Arkansas A&M College and his D.F. at Duke University. After graduation from LSU, he worked for the LSU AgCenter’s Hill Farm Research Station at Homer until 1967, when he and his family moved to College Station. He was the first head of the Forest Science Department at Texas A&M University. In 1977 he was named associate director of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and director of the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources. He was honored by becoming a Fellow in the Society of American Foresters. He retired in 1999.
2009
Hoy C. Grigsby, ’47 B.S.F.,’52 M.F., died November 26, 2009 in Bienville Parish. He was born in 1915 on a farm near Heflin. His wife of 53 years, Eunice Geurin Grigsby, preceded him in death. He was a World War II veteran, serving overseas in the U.S. Army Air Corps. His forestry career began with the Mississippi Forestry Commission and he became a plant geneticist at the U.S. Forest Service Southern Forest Experiment Station in Crossett, Ark, and Alexandria, La. A 50-year member of the Society of American Foresters, he was an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America.
Edward D. Holcombe, ’49 B.S.F, died August 16, 2009 at Temple, Texas at the age of 83. A native of Bogalusa, he is survived byhis wife, Carol M. Holcombe, and two children. Holcombe served in the U.S. Navy for 33 months. He worked as a forester for many years for the Soil Conservation Service in Texas.
Vernon C. “Buck” Adkins, ’50 B.S.F., died May 9, 2009 in Monroe, La., at age 86. A veteran of the U.S. Army during WW II and in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, he retired from Smurfit Stone Container as wood procurement manager after a 38-year career. He was active in the Society of American Foresters, the Louisiana Forestry Association, and the Lions Club. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and six grandchildren.
Daniel C. “Danny” Cameron, ’50 B.S.F., died March 1, 2009 in Denham Springs, La. He was an Army veteran of WW II and retired from the Army Reserve as a lieutenant colonel. He had a 43-year professional forestry career with Gaylord Container Corp. and Crown-Zellerbach and was active in the Society of American Foresters, the Louisiana Forestry Association, and the Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, one grandchild, and one great grandchild.
Robert F. “Bob” Westbrook, ’66 M.F., died Feb. 16, 2009 in Pineville, La. Before attending L.S.U. he earned his B.S. in forestry at La. Tech. in 1959. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service, State and Private Forestry Division, at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Athens, Ga., then in Pineville, La. from 1976 until he retired in 2000. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and one grandchild.