Homer Merrifield

Homer "Herc" Merrifield was born in Syracuse, New York on March 12, 1930 to Homer and Hazel Hamlin
Merrifield. He grew up in Baldwinsville, New York where he attended Baldwinsville Academy now
Baldwinsville High School. He knew early on he wanted to attend college despite his Mom telling him
they could not pay for it. He made sure he took classes that prepared him for college and was a
stand out athlete lettering in football, basketball, and baseball.
The summer following his senior year in high school he was invited to try out as a catcher with the
Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. This was one of his favorite stories to relate to people,
including the fact that Jackie Robinson was on the field at the same time. Although this was very
flattering, especially at just 18 years of age, Herc saw his future with a college education. He
went on to attend Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. He played baseball and football there
and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated in 1952 with a degree in Natural
Sciences - Education.
Following graduation he was immediately drafted by the US Army. He served 2 years as a medic at
Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He took full advantage of the GI Bill when he was
discharged and returned to Colgate to get his Master's degree in 1955. He became an Instructor at
St Lawrence University in Canton, New York where he also coached basketball and football. He
married Eleanor Gwynn in 1956.
They left Canton in 1958 for him to pursue his PhD at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. In 1960
with his PhD in hand, they returned to central New York where he started as an Assistant Professor
at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. He became a full professor in 1972 where he remained until
1982. During his time there 20 of his 22 years were in the Department of Physical Therapy. Also
while in Ithaca, Herc and Eleanor became parents to Michael in 1965 and Merri in 1967. They were
and remained his pride and great joy!
Seeing his future advancing in the physical therapy field he returned to school to obtain a degree
in physical therapy from Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York in 1975. In 1982 he was
recruited to Lubbock, Texas to start a Physical Therapy program at Texas Tech University. Georgia
Blessey joined him there in 1987 and they were married in 2000. At that time he became the official
Papa Herc to Noelle and Marla Blessey. During his tenure at Tech Herc went on to become an
Associate Dean in the School of Allied Health and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation
Sciences overseeing seven degree programs. He retired from Tech in 2002 as a Professor Emeritus.
Herc found Bend, Oregon while searching for good ski towns to retire to. A plus for Bend, it also
had a top craft beer scene. Bend won out with its pairing of two things Herc enjoyed. Herc became a
lift operator at Mt Bachelor and worked there to beyond his 80th birthday. This job got
him and Georgia free season passes which they put to good use. Herc loved to watch Texas
Tech athletics, in person when he lived in Lubbock and later streaming in Bend. Unfortunately in
his last years his catcher's knees caught up with him, severely limiting his mobility and his
ability to engage in the outdoor activities he loved.
During his many years in academia, Herc authored, coauthored, and presented papers on biomechanics,
physical therapy, sports medicine and distance education at national and international conferences.
He was an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association even in his retirement and
participated in the sections on Education, Research, and Orthopedic Physical Therapy. He was a
Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He maintained his affiliation with Sigma Chi and
enjoyed going to the local meetings while living in Lubbock.
Herc enjoyed outdoor activities his entire life with his favorites being sailing and skiing. He
also enjoyed gardening and exercising at the local gym where he had many friends.
Herc is survived by his wife, Georgia, his son, Michael Merrifield and his wife Jolyn, his
daughter, Merri Goodrow and her husband, John; his grandchildren, Trevor Merrifield, Hannah
Merrifield Crouch and her husband, Jonathan, Kelty Goodrow, and Colden Goodrow; his stepdaughters
Noelle and Marla Blessey; his dog Red Raider and cat Max as well as nieces and nephews.
Herc is predeceased by his first wife Eleanor Merrifield, his parents Homer and Hazel Merrifield,
his sister Mae, and many beloved dogs.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday June 16th at 3 PM at First Presbyterian Church of
Bend. Herc chose to be cremated. His ashes will be spread in the places he loved, Mt Bachelor tops
among them!
Those wishing to make a Memorial Donation are asked to donate to Partners in Care
www.partnersbend.org