George Bryan Noland PhD.

GEORGE BRYAN NOLAND, age 97, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2023 from natural causes after a very long and blessed life. He is survived by his children, Michael Noland, Betsy Gerbec (Terry), Sue Intili (Lou), Linda Miller (Keith), and Carol Noland; his grandchildren, Zack Gerbec (Stephanie), Jackie Peace (Sean), Bryan Miller (Bethany), and Lauren Intili; his great-grandchildren, Quinn, Jeremiah and soon to be born twins Gerbec, Aubrey and Isla Peace, and Camden and Hudson Kirby; his sister Joan Murphy, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred, his grandson Daniel Gerbec, his parents Alice and Bryan Noland, and his siblings, Richard, Robert, Mary Alice, and Patrick.

George was born in Fort Ogden, Florida, and later moved to Detroit, Michigan where he graduated high school at age 17 and joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 during World War II, serving as a Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class. His experience led to an interest in biology, which became his major at the University of Detroit. There he met his beloved Millie. After successfully deterring a fellow suitor, George courted Millie and they married in Dearborn, Michigan in 1952. George went on to complete his Ph.D. in biology at Michigan State University. The couple relocated to Dayton, Ohio in 1955 and became part of the University of Dayton family, creating a legacy of over 36 years of service. George began as a professor of biology and became Chairman of the Department in 1963. In 1969, he helped create a Ph.D. program in biology, the first doctoral program at the University. He also wrote a General Biology textbook, which is still in use in colleges across the country. His sage and supportive advice to students seeking further education led him to the position of Dean of Graduate Studies and Research in 1976. He was appointed the Associate Provost of the University in 1979, and the Director of the University of Dayton Research Institute in 1983. He once joked that he was in line to become President of the University, a Catholic institution, but would have to join the priesthood first.

He was well-respected and admired by his peers and students alike. In 1990, he received an award from Sigma Xi, a national scientific research society, for his support of research and scholarship at UD. The UD chapter of Sigma Xi subsequently created the George B. Noland Award for Research. He and Millie were fixtures at UD and ardent supporters of the Dayton Flyers basketball team. He served the University until 1991, when he retired with Millie to their home in Centerville, Ohio. He and Millie spent much of their retirement golfing and traveling to far-away places like Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Alaska. George and Millie shared 53 years of wedded bliss until Millie passed in 2006.

A voracious reader with eclectic interests, George was the consummate storyteller, some of which were true, and some of which were questionable. He was also the keeper of the family history, tracing our ancestors back to the 1600s through numerous countries, and was always searching for more family connections. Ever the professor, he would talk for hours about our ancestors, readily recalling names, dates, and events, and regaling us with stories of their adventures and experiences.

George loved spending time with his family, listening to music, and relaxing with a 5:00 cocktail on the back porch. He will be remembered as an intelligent, wise, interesting, kind, and jovial man. He was deeply loved by his family and was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to us all.

We would like to thank the wonderful people of St. Leonard who showed him so much love and cared for him as if he were family. We would like to thank Ohio’s Hospice for the compassionate care they provided in his last days. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to these wonderful organizations.