John M. Herr Jr.

Dr. John M. Herr Jr. COLUMBIA - Dr. John M. Herr, Jr., 85, of Columbia, SC, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2016 in Belford, VA. After a hike in the beautiful sunshine at The Peaks of Otter off the Blue Ridge Parkway, he sat resting with his wife, Lucrecia. He reached out, touched her hand, and breathed his last breath. He did not suffer, but died in peace after hiking in his beloved mountains. Dr. Herr was Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biology at the University of South Carolina. He graduated from the University of Virginia with BA and MA degrees, from the University of North Carolina with a Ph.D. in botany, and served a post-doctoral appointment at the University of Delhi, India on a Fulbright Fellowship (1957-58). He was also a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London (1988). During his 34 years of service at USC, before retiring in 1993, Dr. Herr taught courses in botany and performed notable research in flowering plant embryology, culminating in theoretical papers on the evolutionary origin of seeds and leaves. His inventions included tissue processing and microscopy techniques now utilized worldwide. For the 23 years following retirement, he contributed his wisdom to the university and multiple students and researchers. His office and lab were never silent. He served on many committees, authored guidelines for organizing the USC Faculty Senate, chaired the faculty senate, and served as President of the Thomas Cooper Society. He held memberships in several scientific associations such as the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society, which awarded him the Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew Award in 1996. He led workshops and seminars all over the world and supervised numerous dissertations. Dr. Herr's major professional affiliation was with the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB) where he was president and author of the constitution and by-laws. ASB presented him the Meritorious Teaching Award (1989), the Service Award (1996), the Senior Research Award (1998) and the inaugural "John Herr Lifetime Achievement Award" (2007). In presenting the Herr Award, the association noted: "He is perspicacious, sagacious, and mighty fine!" In 2005, Dr. Herr decided to give a unique gift to the university. He set about composing a specific tune for Carolina's alma mater, "We Hail Thee, Carolina", which has traditionally been sung to the tune of "Flow Gently, Sweet Afton." The new tune was performed by the USC Concert Choir in 2009, but has not (at least, yet) been accepted as the official tune for the alma mater. The experience of having his tune brought to life helped build a deeper relationship between Dr. Herr and the School of Music. With funds contributed by Dr. Herr and his wife, the School of Music established the annual John and Lucrecia Herr Composition Award, open to all music students. Dr. Herr, a native of Charlottesville, VA, is survived by his wife, Lucrecia Linder Herr; his sister, Dr. Nancy Herr Fallen; his daughters and their husbands: Susan Rebecca (John) Fallen; Rachel Lynn (Michael) Leach; his stepson and his wife, Frederick Brent (Mary Grace) Wahl; his niece, Margaret Fallen; and six grandchildren. A private family service will be followed by a celebration of his life at a future date. Those wishing to make a contribution in memory of Dr. Herr, are asked to consider The John and Lucrecia Herr Composition Award, University of South Carolina School of Music, 813 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29208.