Verne Allison Byers (1927-2011)

FARMINGTON – Verne Allison Byers, 83, of Anson Street, Farmington, died on March 7, 2011.

Verne was born in Houlton, Maine, on June 15, 1927. His parents were Grant and Viva (Duplisea) Byers. Verne graduated from Houlton High School. He attended the University of Maine at Orono. After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946, he attended Farmington State Teachers College where he was a member of Kappa Delta Phi fraternity and played on the basketball team. He graduated from FSTC in 1951 with a degree in elementary education.

After graduation Verne taught seventh grade in Wilton, and math and science in Ashland and Caribou. Verne received his Master of Education degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Maine at Orono, and completed postgraduate work at the University of Vermont and Illinois State University.

Verne returned to Farmington with his family in 1966 to teach math at the Farmington State Teachers College, which later became the University of Maine at Farmington. He was a math professor for 26 years, and continued to be active in local schools by volunteering in many classrooms to encourage innovative teaching methods. Verne was inducted into UMF’s Athletics Hall of Fame for more than 25 years of service to the UMF basketball program, which included serving as timer for basketball games for many years. Verne devoted many years to the UMF Alumni Association, having served as treasurer of the Alumni Council and the Alumni Foundation for years. He also served as chair of the Alumni Scholars Program. In 2003, UMF conferred a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, Honoris Causa, to Verne for his professional, community, and volunteer service to the university.

He was an active member of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine, the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England, and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Verne was a longtime member of the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church. He was active in the church, having served as Financial Board Treasurer, church moderator, superintendent of Sunday School, and member of the Finance Committee, Pastoral Relations Committee, Diaconate Board, Advisory Council, and the Nominating Committee. Verne also taught Sunday school and volunteered for many other church activities.

He was a long-time member of the Farmington Rotary Club. He served a term as president and supported their numerous projects. Verne was a board member of the Bonney Woods Corporation from 1972-present, and had served terms as president and clerk.

Verne loved to travel with his wife Lora, including trips to Williamsburg, VA, Alaska, Europe, and numerous other trips throughout the United States and Canada to visit family and friends.

Verne was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Lora. He is survived by four children: Charles Byers and his wife, Brenda, of Oxford, Alabama; Elizabeth Byers Small and her husband, Thomas, of Chester, Maine; Patricia Urbanski and her husband, Thomas, of Cloquet, Minnesota; and Julie Hutchinson and her husband, Trent, of Pownal, Maine; five grandchildren: Abbie and Kallie Hutchinson of Maine; Ginger Davenport, David Webb and Amy McCollum, all of Alabama; seven great-grandchildren, all of Alabama, and numerous cousins.

Verne will be remembered for taking a personal interest in his students, encouraging them to go on to higher education and mentoring them personally and professionally; his service to his church and community; and his daily walks to and from his Anson Street home. Verne took great pride in his family and made spending time with his family a priority.

Friends are invited to visit from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, at Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington. Memorial services will be held Friday, March 11 at 1 p.m. from the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church, 110 Academy St., Farmington. Following the services, all are welcome to attend a reception in the church fellowship hall. Private committal services will be held at a later date at the New Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME, 04938, or the University of Maine Alumni Scholarship Fund, in care of Pat Carpenter, 242 Main Street, Farmington, ME, 04938. Tributes and condolences as well as a memorial video can be shared at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation and memorial services are being cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, ME.