L. Dean Bark

MANHATTAN- L. Dean Bark, 84, died Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at Meadowlark retirement community in Manhattan. Professor Bark was a 43-year member of the faculty of the Department of Physics of Kansas State University where he was Professor of Climatology from 1967 until his retirement in 1999. He was named Professor Emeritus at his retirement. He joined the KSU staff as an Associate Professor of Physics in 1956 and was the Acting State Climatologist for Kansas from 1973-1990. Professor Bark earned his doctorate from Rutgers University in 1954 and then worked as a Bioclimatologist at the U.S. Weather Bureau in Washington D.C. in 1955. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded near Strasbourg, France. Professor Bark was born March 18, 1926, at Chanute, the son of Reuben Oscar and Elsie Bark. He graduated from Chanute High School and attended Neosho Community College and Kansas University. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Chicago in 1948 and 1950, respectively. He was a member of numerous honorary and professional societies and had many publications to his credit. Following his retirement, Professor Bark contributed many hours of community service in assisting senior citizens in the preparation of their IRS tax returns and at the Manhattan Public library in repairing audio tape players. He was married to Donna on August 22, 1964 at Manhattan. Survivors include three sons, Steven Bark, Lenexa, Kansas; Stanley Bark, Crans-pres-Celigny, Switzerland and Stuart Bark, Dallas, Texas, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Professor Bark was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Chet, and one grandson, Andrew Worthington Bark. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Friday, May 7 at the St. Paul Episcopal Church at 601 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, with The Reverend Thomas D. Miles officiating. Cremation will follow the service with inurnment will be at a later date in Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan, KS. Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Meadowlark Hills Good Samaritan Fund. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.