Dr. Michael J. KASPERBAUER

KASPERBAUER Dr. Michael J, 82, of Lexington, KY, passed away on Nov 21, 2011 at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, TX following a lengthy illness. Born Oct 8, 1929 in Manning, IA, the eldest of nine children to the late John and Clara Kasperbauer, he advanced from a Depression-era Iowa farm boy to an internationally-renowned scientist. Born in his parents' home, he attended grammar school in a one-room schoolhouse, graduated from Manning High School and later graduated from Iowa State University with undergraduate and graduate degrees, and ultimately obtained his PhD in Plant Physiology and Agronomy. He was awarded post-graduate studies at the USDA Pioneering Lab in Beltsville, MD. After his undergraduate degree, he served our country as Captain in the United States Army during the Korean War. He served on the faculty of Maryland University, Adjunct Professor of Agronomy at the University of Kentucky, Adjunct Professor of Plant Physiology at Clemson University, and Senior Research Scientist at USDA-ARS Coastal Plains Soil, Water and Plant Research Center in Florence, SC. He received the USDA-ARS-SAA Senior Scientist of the Year Award, USDA Superior Service Award from the US Secretary of Agriculture, and Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer. He authored hundreds of scientific publications and several books. Dr. Kasperbauer made a career of "seeing" light the way plants do: in wavelengths, some of which cannot be detected by the human eye, and developed red plastic mulch technology (SMR-Red) that increases yield and quality of food crops. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Isabel Giles Kasperbauer; daughter, Maria Howard (Bill); John Kasperbauer (Theresa); Paul Kasperbauer (Rose); and Sandra Hayes (Hunter); grandchildren, Lauren Ricketts (Joey); Kathleen, Rebecca and William Howard; John, Caitlyn and Ashley Kasperbauer; Jakob Kasperbauer; Alexander and Sophia Hayes; two great grandchildren, Christian and Scarlett Ricketts. Preceded in death by his brother, Colonel Gerald Kasperbauer. Survived by three sisters, Marian Fitzsimmons (Fred); Patricia Sheets; Linda Johanson; and four brothers; Lawrence (Carmen); James (Marge); Patrick (Cathy) and Lonnie (Lou) Kasperbauer, and sister in-law, Norma Kasperbauer. His research is changing the world, but his greatest contribution is the legacy he leaves to his family. Dr. Kasperbauer will be lovingly remembered by family and friends on Dec 17 with a Memorial Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, at noon, followed by a luncheon to celebrate his life at the Faust Hotel in New Braunfels, TX. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America in his name would be greatly appreciated.