Emerson Louis Dr. Besch

He spent his childhood getting into multiple scrapes and pickles with his younger brother, Carl, highlighted by the time they accidentally burned down their neighbor Iovan's garage.

His young, widowed mother Carolyn raised Emerson and his three brothers with a strong value system focused on the importance of family, integrity and education. And, during the height of the Depression, she reared four boys who finished their education with two Ph.D.'s, one law degree and one dental degree.

Emerson, a Ph.D. in animal physiology from the University of California, Davis, spent his life serving the academic and scientific community including service in the US Navy and US Navy Reserves from which he retired as a Captain. He worked on projects for the US Air Force and NASA, and was always up for a dramatic retelling of a particular day of Sputnik-induced mayhem in the 1950s involving a narcoleptic chimp, hot studio lights, and a camera crew. He was a university professor and dean, retiring as Executive Associate Dean from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, which he co-founded in 1976.

He was co-director of several sessions of Camp Grandma along with his wife, Jean. The grandchildren who were lucky enough to participate in it all have fond memories of fresh stacks of hot pancakes, Fredericksburg sausage, and the scratching of their Pappaw's ballpoint pen against his daily crossword puzzle.

He was a dedicated caregiver to his wife of 60 years, Jean, the love of his life, who passed away one year ago.

He is survived by his four children: Karen J. Cejka of Lakeville, Minnesota; Kevin D. Besch of Gainesville, Florida; Kathleen (Jack) Winningham of Orlando, Florida; and Kristine (David) Porter of San Antonio, Texas; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

TUESDAY

NOVEMBER 22, 2016

11:00 A.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH REFLECTION ROOM

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Harris Jean Besch Scholarship Endowment at Concordia University Texas in Austin, Texas.