Larry Eilers, Emeritus Professor of Biology, died of a cerebral hemorrhage Sunday, March 26, 2000. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, Emeritus Professor of Communications; children, Alan, Nancy, Clark, and Linda; step-daughter Mary; and several grandchildren.
His degrees included B. A. 1949--I.S.T.C., M .A. 1960--S. C. I., and Ph. D. 1964--University of Iowa. He taught at the University of Iowa, Syracuse University, and Indiana State University prior to joining the biology faculty at the University of Northern Iowa in 1968. He taught Plant Taxonomy, Plant Systematics, Local Plants and Animals, and several other biology courses. In addition, he taught Plant Taxonomy during summers at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. He retired in 1989.
Dr. Eilers published a number of research papers dealing with vascular plants and flora of the state and a monograph, The Flora of the Iowan Area. He co-authored Vascular Plants of Iowa and portions of Iowa's Natural Heritage. He was a participant in Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Wildlife Series" and "Land Between Two Rivers". He was a long-time Board Trustee of the Iowa Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and Chair of the Board from 1971 through 1973. He spearheaded the move to bring professional staff to the Iowa Chapter which greatly enlarged its preservation activities. He was presented The Nature Conservancy's highest award, The Oak Leaf, in 1985.
A memorial service for Dr. Eilers is scheduled at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 2410 Melrose Avenue, Cedar Falls. Visitation with the family at the church will follow the memorial service. A Larry Eilers Memorial Fund has been established with the Iowa Chapter of Nature Conservancy. Contributions can be sent to Larry Eilers Memorial, Iowa Chapter of Nature Conservancy, 108 3rd Street, Suite 300, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Daryl Smith