DURHAM, N.H. - Professor Homer Bechtell, Jr. was born on April 26, 1929 in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania as the son of Homer Franklin Bechtell and Margaret Walker Bechtell, both of pioneer heritage. He and his loving wife, Dolly, for 53 years had resided in Durham, NH from 1966 before moving to Eatonton, GA in 2019.
Graduation from Grove City College in ‘51, introduction, OCS, and Ranger School preceded discharge as a First Lieutenant (AUS) having received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with the V in 1953 awarded while serving with the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division at Pork Chop Hill in Korea.
He received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, supplemented a fruitful career of 40 years in college teaching and mathematical research prior to retiring as a Professor Emeritus (1996) from University of New Hampshire. His professional interests were pursued into his mid-eighties. With over fifty years in each, he was a member of the American Mathematical Society, The London Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America. For a period of time, he served on the national undergraduate career encouragement committee of the Society of Actuaries. His travels took him to Kuwait, Jordan, Belarus, China, and Southern Europe. In particular, frequent trips were made to Spain.
His favorite outdoor activities of hiking and cross-country skiing, competed with his cooking and dining interest. His love of jazz and Broadway musicals was frustrated by a severe hearing loss but was compensated by his attention to creative artwork.
He initiated the effort to lead passage of legislation that permits hearing-ear dogs in New Hampshire to have the same privileges as seeing-eye dogs. Also contributions were made to publications that focused on living with a hearing loss.
He is survived by his loving wife, Dolly; grateful daughter Michele (Edward Fritzi); and respected son-in-law, John Wood. He was predeceased by his daughter, Cynthia.
At the request of the deceased, all services are private.
If friends desire, contributions can be made to the Cynthia Bechtell Wood scholarship fund at the Kappa Delta Foundation, 3205 Players Lane, Memphis, TN 38125.
Visit www.kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guestbook.