Sightings | Alumni News

Obituaries

James E. Hobbs MF’47 died Oct. 7, 2004. He earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry from North Carolina State University in 1942 and a master of forestry degree from the Duke University School of Forestry. Widely respected across North Carolina as one of the state’s first private consulting foresters, he served as a cooperative extension forestry agent for N.C. State University and was later a forestry consultant based in Rocky Mount, N.C. In more recent years, his passions included cultivation of a floral garden and staying in touch with classmates from N.C. State.

Edward L. Berry T’57 (Geology) died May 20, 2004, in Raleigh, N.C. Berry was a retired hydrogeologist with the State of North Carolina and a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean conflict. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Jones Berry, and their children.

Robert M. Allen PhD’58 died Sept. 16, 2004 in Seneca, S.C. Allen earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in forestry from Iowa State University. In 1948, he took a job in forestry research with the United States Forest Service in South Mississippi and was transferred to Duke University, where he earned a PhD in tree physiology. In 1966, Allen moved to Clemson, S.C., where he became the Belle W. Baruch Professor of Forestry at Clemson University. He was named Head of the Department of Forestry in 1970 and remained in that capacity for 12 years before requesting to return to teaching and research. He retired in 1991 but continued to work for another two years. Allen is survived by his wife of 58 years, Billie Mansell Allen, and their children, Betty Allen Boyles, Mary Bizzigotti, and Reed Allen.

William L. Harrison T’59, MF’60 of Wake Forest, N.C., passed away on Aug. 21, 2004, after a brief illness. Harrison was a consultant at Engineering Design & Testing Corp. where he specialized in damage assessment of major losses in the chemical and textile industry. As a member of the Iron Dukes, he could be found in Cameron Indoor Stadium at each basketball home game, loudly cheering or lamenting the fortunes of his team. Harrison is survived by his wife, Pamela Gattis; son, Lee Harrison; daughters, Barbara Hansen, Susan McClure, Sharon Murphy and Kathryn Wade; stepson, Max McGlohon; and 13 grandchildren.