Dewayne A. Beery

Dewayne A. Beery, PhD, died November 12, 2013 beloved husband of Cynthia S. Beery (Steiger); loving father of Susan H. (Kevin Rosenow) Beery of Montoursville, PA and Sarah Beery (Francisco) Diaz of State College, PA; dear grandfather of Gillian and Alexa Mitchell, Will and Anne Rosenow, Jonah and Elena Diaz; dearest brother of late Karen (David) Doudt; uncle of Matthew (Jennifer) Doudt, Heidi Doudt (Jarrod) Ramer, Linda Groff (Brian) Mroz, Morgan (David) DelValle and Nathan (Shawn) Serwinowski; fond son-in-law of John R. (late Nancy K.) Ennis and the late Charles E., (late Ann) Steiger; brother-in-law of Marcia (Edward Peters) Groff, Dawn (Gregory Goodridge) Steiger, Glenda (Jake Kuss) Ranallo, Robert Ennis, William (Marcia) Ennis, Nancy Ennis (Nathan) Brown, Michael Ennis and Susan Alexander. Dewayne Arden Beery was born to Dee and Irene Beery at his family's farmhouse in North Manchester, IN on May 9, 1938. He graduated from Chester High School in 1956, earned a B.A. in physics from Manchester College in Indiana in 1960 and a master's degree in physics from the University of Toledo in Ohio. He joined the Buffalo State community as a faculty member of the Physics Department in 1963. He became an assistant professor in 1965. He received continuing appointment in 1970, and he was appointed associate professor in 1971. He became chair of the Physics Department in 1975. In 1976, he received his doctorate in physics from the University at Buffalo. He was appointed acting associate dean of the Faculty of Natural and Social Sciences in 1979, and became associate dean in 1981 while continuing to teach. He was among the first faculty member to learn to use computers. In the early 1980s he added computer simulation and computer problem-solving to certain physics courses. In 1984, Dr. Beery was appointed assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, and in 1987 he became associate vice president. In 1991 he took a leave to expand his knowledge of computer software that was applicable to the physics education curriculum. Because he was known for his ability to work with people and to solve complex technical problems, he was charged with managing special projects including computer/networking facilities for faculty. In 1993, Dr. Beery once again assumed the position of chair of the Physics Department upon the unanimous recommendation of the faculty, a position he held until 2004. He retired from teaching in 2006 while maintaining his position as co-principal investigator on Dwight D. Eisenhower Education Professional Development program grants, which led to summer and academic year training programs for high school physics teacher. In 2010 his grant was finished and he became a full-time retiree. Graveside services will be Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery, Servia, IN. Gifts in his memory may be made to Buffalo State Foundation and designated to the Dewayne A. Beery Physics Lab Fund. Arrangements entrusted to McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, IN. To send a private condolence to the Beery family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.