Dr. George Beran

Livestream link for memorial service can be found here: www.amesnpc.org
Obituary for George Wesley Beran
George was born May 22, 1928, to John and Elizabeth Beran in Riceville, Iowa. He attended country school, Riceville High School in 1948, taught K-8th grade rural school for two years and graduated from Iowa State University in 1954 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. In 1959 he earned a Ph. D. in Medical Microbiology from the University of Kansas.
George married Janice Van Zomeren on December 21, 1954 in Leighton, Iowa. They were blessed with three children, Bruce David, Anne Elizabeth, and George Stuart.
His military service was with the United States Public Health Service serving as an epidemic intelligence officer stationed in Kansas City. From 1959-73 he and his wife were Presbyterian education missionaries teaching at Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines. He learned the local Cebuano language, was head of the agriculture program, directed the university farm and successfully solicited financial support to expand its animal and crop production. He taught both agriculture and nursing students, founded two public health laboratories and did extension work to protect human health from animal borne diseases. He developed a vaccine that stopped a human cholera epidemic and led a dog rabies program making vaccine used to eradicate dog rabies in a quarter of a million dogs. For his work he was conferred an Honorary Doctorate from Silliman man University and was made an adopted son of the Philippines.
George taught Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology at Iowa State from 1973-1999, where he was twice recognized by his students as an outstanding professor, received the Norden Teaching Award and was honored with a Distinguished Professorship in Veterinary Medicine in 1993. He also received several national awards in various professional organizations. Both while teaching and during retirement he served as a World Health Organization consultant in India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Ecuador, Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados and the Philippines in dog rabies control and taught short courses on the protection of human health from animal borne diseases. In 1990 he was a Fulbright Exchange professor at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria.
He was active in professional organizations holding several elective offices and received national awards for his contributions to veterinary public health. Among them was the International Veterinary Congress Prize in recognition of his lifetime contribution to international animal and human health. He was a team member in the eradication of pseudorabies in swine in Iowa and beyond. He published many research papers, enjoyed working with graduate students, and edited two books, Handbook of Zoonoses, 1st and 2nd editions. In retirement he established the ISU Veterinary History Museum and spent years developing its extensive displays.
A lifelong Christian he lived a life of service through his profession and beyond. He was a respected Bible teacher in Kansas City, the Philippines and Northminster Presbyterian churches and served as deacon, elder and as leader of the regional church. He modeled his life based on Jesus' teachings. He enjoyed deep theological discussions and the challenge of working hard to find solutions to problems.
George and wife opened their home in Ames to dozens of teenage foster children from 1982-2010 and to many international students and visitors. George enjoyed woodworking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, dancing and scuba diving. He was kind, loving, and generously shared himself and his finances both locally and worldwide. He was a loving husband and father. His hardy laugh and willingness to try anything will be missed.
George is survived by his wife, Jan, children Bruce David Beran of Takoma Park, Maryland, Anne Elizabeth (Terry) Stark of Nevada, and George Stuart (Jennifer) Beran of Apple Valley, Minnesota, grandchildren Teran Stark, Daniel (Meg) Stark, Katherine (Nick) Sutton, Abigail, Joseph (Sarah) and Jack Beran, four great grandsons Abel, Wesley, Kayce Sutton and Kirby Lee George-Stark, brother John (Rita) Beran, Joanne Tonjes, sisters in law Bonnie Bailey, Darlene Wallinga, Mary Van Zomeren and brothers-in-law Dick (Joey) Van Zomeren and Mark (Renae) Van Zomeren. He was predeceased by daughter-in-law Dolores Hall Beran, sister-in-law Carolyn Beran and brother-in-law Ed Tonjes and grandson Benjamin Beran. His body was donated to the Des Moines University Body Donor Program. Burial will be at the Ames Municipal Cemetery at a later date.
Appreciation is extended to Northcrest Heartwood House for their compassionate and professional care and to Mary Greeley Medical Center Hospice Care Memorial suggestions include Northminster Presbyterian Church, Northcrest Heartwood House and Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine scholarship fund.
Visitation will be held at Northminster Presbyterian church, 1416 20th Street, Ames, Iowa on Friday, February 21 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm and the memorial service will at the same location at 10:30am on Saturday, February 22.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com