In Memoriam
The University extends its condolences to the friends and families of the following alumni, friends, former students, employees and retirees.
Dr. Willis E. Byrd, Swansea, Illinois. September 9, 2015. Willis Byrd was a native of Athens, Georgia. In spite of social and economic and inequities in the schools during the Jim Crow era, he earned an AB in Chemistry, with honors, from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. He later earned a PhD in Physical Chemistry, from the University of Iowa, and completed post graduate studies at MIT, Fisk, Washington University, Grinnell College (IA), Pratt Institute (NY), and the University of Illinois. In 1949, following a tour of duty in
the US Army, Dr. Byrd began 39 years of teaching and service to Lincoln University. He ultimately became the head of the Department of Chemistry and Chairman of the Division of Natural Science and Mathematics. He was awarded the LU Curators’ Distinguished Professorship. His research on the structure and stability of amine charge transfer complexes received global recognition and citations in previewed journals. During his academic career, Dr. Byrd
was a visiting scientist at the Missouri Academy of Science and the National Science Foundation. He is credited with having acquired many grants awards for Lincoln, including the first National Science Foundation research grants. His life and works inspired the careers of hundreds of successful scientists, medical professionals and educators. He was a member of Phi Lambda Upsilon-National Honorary Chemical Society and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Eta Alpha Chapter, in 1940, and was a life time member of Omega Psi Phi, Tau Pi Chapter, in East St. Louis, Illinois. In 2012, the Willis E. Byrd Committee organized the Dr. Willis E. Byrd Committee
on Lincoln University Science Legacies to support STEM initiatives that will increase science graduates from Lincoln University through recognition and exposure to exemplary university science faculty. In his honor, the committee has sponsored two science symposia, and the LU Board of Curators approved the installation of a bronze bust of Dr. Byrd in the Lloyd Gaines Center of the Inman E. Page Library, on Lincoln University’s campus. Funding for the project is privately secured through the committee’s ongoing fundraising efforts. Dr. Byrd is survived by two goddaughters
and two godsons, extended family, former students and colleagues. Memorials may be sent to the Dr. Willis E. Byrd “Bust” Fund; c/o of Lincoln University Foundation, Inc., Lincoln University; 820 Chestnut Street, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65101.
Gerald Kendrick, Jefferson City, MO June 20, 2014. A native of Evanston, IL Kendrick completed his bachelor’s degree at Union College and a master’s degree from Boston University. He began work on a Ph.D. in African American Studies from Temple University. He was listed as one of Five Top Favorite Professors in a National Education Association Poll. He served as Assistant Professor of English at Lincoln University. Kendrick was on the College Board Development Committee for the English Achievement test. He served as Reviewer for Lippincott, Associate Editor Langston Hughes Review, Brown University and was cited in Who’s Who Among Black Americans. He also served as instructor at, Northeastern University and researcher at the Newberry Library. Kendrick is survived by his family, friends, former students and colleagues.
48 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI LINE Winter 2016
Richard Williams Sr., ’63, St. Louis, Missouri. November 15, 2015. Richard Williams Sr. was born May 28, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri, the fourth of nine children. A high school wrestler, he came to Lincoln University on a football scholarship. He obtained bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lincoln University. He was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters by Lincoln University for his dedication to the development of the school. Williams worked for Kaiser Aluminum
for over 32 years. Upon his retirement in 2000, he started his own tax service. He lived in Spokane, Washington for 30 years serving on the boards of the NAACP, Planned Parenthood, Goodwill Industries, the Spokane County Substance Abuse Council, and the Human Rights Committee in Spokane. He was a pillar of philanthropy, contributing to the Lincoln University Foundation and serving as a member of the Foundation Board beginning in 1997. Williams was a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Williams is survived by two daughters,
a son, ten grandchildren, extended family and a host of friends.
Verner Stern Russell ’69, Canton, Ohio. December 20, 2015. Known as the “little guard with the big heart,” Russell was a member of Lincoln’s men’s basketball and track and field teams. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi. He served for many years as the principal of McKinley High School, in Canton, Ohio, where he retired. Te family has established Te Verner
Russell Memorial Scholarship Fund– Lincoln University. Make checks payable to: Lincoln University, check memo: Verner
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