Dr. Alfred Manwiller

FLORENCE — A memorial service will be held for Dr. Alfred Manwiller at 11:00 o’clock, Saturday morning, June 11, 2005 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception at the home of Karen Love, 437 Woodland Drive. The family suggests memorials may be sent to Planned Parenthood of SC, 2712 Middleburg Drive, Columbia, SC 29204 or National Parkinson’s Foundation, c/o Mary Ann Sprinkle, Director of Development, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue, Bob Hope Road, Miami, Florida 33136-1494. Cain Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Dr. Alfred Manwiller passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2005 at the Karesh Wing of Kershaw County Medical Center in Camden, SC at the age of 88 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Dr. Manwiller was born in Elwood, Iowa to Arthur and Matilda Manwiller. He graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agronomy as well as a Masters in Genetics. In 1940 he enlisted in the Army Air Force as a Flying Cadet. After barely receiving his pilot’s license he was honorably discharged and politely counseled that to best serve the USA he should join the German Luftwaffe.

Instead he went on to Penn State University, receiving a Ph.D. in Agronomy. In 1942 he married Marian Hospers of Orange City, Iowa. In 1944 he joined the US Army and served as a medic in France during the Second World War. After the war in 1947, he and his wife, Marian moved to Florence, where he served as a Clemson University associate professor of Agronomy, working as a corn breeder for the Pee Dee Experiment Station until his retirement in 1981. In 1982 Al and Marian relocated to Nairobi, Kenya where he continued his research with maize as a USAID employee. In 1987 he and Marian returned to Florence.

Al Manwiller was a unique individual, known for his dry wit and love of the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved nothing better than telling a funny story. Al often reminded his family and friends that “just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.” All friends are welcome to come and share a memory or one of Al’s jokes.

Dr. Manwiller is survived by his son, Jan Manwiller of Richmond, VA; daughters, Karen Love of Florence, Terri Hager (Robert) of Camden, and Julie Manwiller-Thompson (James) of Seattle, WA; sister Clarice Shank (Boyd) Brookings, SD, as well as six grandchildren, Sara Christenbury, Eric Manwiller, Lucas Hager, Timothy Hager, Rebecca Manwiller-Thompson, McGregor Manwiller-Thompson; and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Marian, a sister Doris Field, and granddaughter, Katie Manwiller.