Besch obituaries, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Name, date of obit, date submitted, submitted for the USGenWeb archives by: Besch, Everett D. 12 Sep 2008 Sep 2008 Jerry Nelson *************************************************************************** Obituary published in The Advocate (Baton Rouge): 9/12/2008 BESCH, EVERETT D. Everett D. Besch, a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, died on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. He was born May 4, 1924, in Hammond, Ind., the second son of Ernst H. and Carolyn D. Besch. After serving as pharmacist's mate first class on the USS Inaugural (AM-242) in the U.S. Navy during World War II, his education included a DVM from Texas A&M University in 1954, a MPH from University of Minnesota in 1956 and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in 1963. At Oklahoma State University, he was promoted to professor and became head of the department of parasitology and public health. In 1968, Dr. Besch was appointed the founding dean of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and led the development of Louisiana's veterinary medical educational program, including establishment of the curriculum, construction of the veterinary school complex and recruitment of faculty and staff. Dr. Besch served as dean from 1968 until his retirement in 1988. Professionally, Dr. Besch was a consultant to the Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organization and the U.S. Army Surgeon General. He participated in review and advisory committees for the National Institutes of Health and the American Veterinary Medical Association, serving on its executive board for six years. Awards included Veterinarian of the Year from the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association in 1976, Outstanding Alumnus from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association in 1992, and in 1997, the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association renamed the LVMA Service Award to the Dr. Everett D. Besch Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Besch was the first recipient. In 1999, he received the prestigious American Veterinary Medical Association Award for contributions to the advancement of organized veterinary medicine. In 1946, Everett Besch married Mellie Darnell Brockman, who preceded him in death in 1999. He is survived by his longtime companion, Virginia Englerth; five children and their families, Carolyn Thibodeaux and husband Byron, Ceryl Lynn Besch McTernan and the late Mark McTernan, Cynthia Besch-Williford and the late Nathan Williford, Charlotte Besch, and Everett Besch Jr and wife Cindy; daughter-in-law, Debra Besch; 10 grandchildren, Byron Jr., Eric and Zachary Thibodeaux, Jesse Williford, Patrick, Erin and Matthew McTernan, Amanda and Corinne Besch, and Stormy Jones; and three great-grandchildren, Steve, Cayden and Scarlett Thibodeaux. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Ernest Besch, in 2001. Also survived by two brothers, Emerson L Besch and wife Jeanne, and Carl D Besch and wife Joanne; and a sister-in-law, Roseanne Besch. Everett Besch embraced the Louisiana culture, participating through the years in local festivals, fundraisers and Mardi Gras krewes. He was an avid historian, with a special interest in the history of veterinary medicine in Louisiana, and a regular historical contributor to the La Veterinaire, the news magazine for the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a participant in the men's weekly Bible study. His social activities included regular Saturday morning coffee and weekly meals with friends and family, cooking barbecued pork ribs and corn-shrimp soup, traveling on day trips and ocean cruises, attending theatrical and musical performances and discussing political issues and LSU sports. He was a caring family man, devoted friend and passionate educator. Services are planned at Trinity Lutheran Church, 10925 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, on Saturday, Sept. 13, at noon, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests sending donations to the M. Darnell Besch Student Scholarship Fund at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 or the BRLS General Operating Fund, Trinity Lutheran Church, 10925 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815. *************************************************************************** File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/tangipahoa/obits/obitssur/besch.txt