Henry Rawie "Hal" De Selm

DE SELM, HENRY RAWIE "HAL" - age 86, of Knoxville, died July 12, 2011 at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital surrounded by his family. Born November 1, 1924 in Columbus, Ohio, second son of Ralph E and Helen R. De Selm. Educated in Columbus public schools, Miami University and Ohio State University. He served in the US Marines during WWII 1943-1946. He was on the faculty of the Botany Department and the Ecology Program at the University of Tennessee, 1956-1989 when he became Professor Emeritus. He was a member and supporter of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. He was a member and scientific contributor to many environmentalist and scientific publications and organizations. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Elizabeth "Bee" Hersee De Selm, of Knoxville; daughter, Diane De Selm Overcast of Marietta Georgia; son, Richard Lowell De Selm and wife, Tracy of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; grandchildren, Megan Elizabeth Rudock and husband Jeremy of Winston-Salem North Carolina, Jannah Webb Overcast of Atlanta Georgia, Grant Lowell and Claire Martin De Selm of Chapel Hill North Carolina; great-grandsons, Henry Joseph Banaghan, Harrison Alan Rudock and Garrett Webb Rudock of Winston-Salem North Carolina. Memorial service will be held on Sunday, 3 o'clock in the afternoon at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee. Reception to follow in the Greg McKendry Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor would be welcomed to any of the nature or wildlife conservation organizations.