Byron Lee Ferguson

Byron Lee Ferguson Valparaiso Byron Lee Ferguson, age 82, of Valparaiso, died Saturday, April 9, 2005. Born in Fairmount, Indiana, he was the eldest son of Frank and Jeanette Ferguson, of Valparaiso. He was preceded in death by his parents and by two brothers: Jack Roger and James Walter. He is survived by his wife of 60 years. His surviving family includes his wife's sister and brother: Cornelia LaBrash of Fort Wayne and Christian Luecke of Riverside, California and their families. A graduate of Valparaiso High School, 1940, Byron attended Valparaiso University for two years before enlisting in the Navy in 1943. As a member of the V-12 program, he attended Central Michigan University (Mt. Clemens) and Columbia University in New York City where he was commissioned an Ensign. He was assigned to amphibious training in Coronado, California before leaving for Pacific service.There he was awarded ribbons for his service in the Asiatic and Philippine theaters. He participated in the initial invasion and occupation of Okinawa Shima on April 1, 1945 as well as the initial landing of the U.S. Army in Aomori, Ko, Honshu Island, Japan in September of that same year, having attained the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. In 1945, he married Josephine (nee Luecke), in Fort Wayne, Indiana, his college sweetheart and in 1946 returned to Valparaiso University where he completed his Bachelor's degree in 1948. From 1948-50 he studied at Indiana University where he received his Master's of Arts degree in Chemistry in 1950. He returned to Valparaiso University as an instructor in chemistry and continued in that department for 38 years retiring in 1988 as Associate Professor. He did further study toward the Ph.D. at Northwestern and Indiana Universities, did research at Argonnc National Laboratories and Bethlehem Steel. Byron was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. At the University, he served as a member and secretary of the Brauer Museum's Museum Council and for ten years as a volunteer for the FRIENDS of Art of that Museum. He also served on the University's Athletic Committee. He was a philatelist, an avid reader and gardener. He and wife traveled extensively throughout the Americas, in Europe and Asia. He was perhaps most dedicated to sailing and boat building. Since the mid 1990's Byron has been ill with Alzheimer's disease. He spent several years at St. Agnes Senior Day Care Center and at Whispering Pines Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 13, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rev. Don Williams officiating with cremation to follow at Angelcrest Crematory at Moeller Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the All Saints Chapel at Immanuel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso University, Immanuel Lutheran Church or St. Agnes Day Care Center. www.angelcrestinc.com