Dale Melvin Norris Jr.

MADISON-Dale Melvin Norris, Jr., age 86, passed away on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. He was born in a farm house in Page County, Iowa on August 19, 1930, the first of four children born to Dale M. Norris, Sr. and Opal Loretta (Klepinger) Norris.  Dale received three degrees (i.e., B.S., M.S. and Ph.D) from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. His thesis research for his M.S. degree was cited in 1953 as one of the 10 more important discoveries in biology for that year by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  This was the beginning of his diverse internationally renowned research and teaching career which remained on the cutting edges of biological inquiry for six decades. He was Assistant Professor, University of Florida, Gainesville, 1956-1957; and accepted an Assistant Professorship, University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1958.  He remained Professor Emeritus, U.W.-Madison, until his death. Dale was recognized for his leadership in studies of: Oak Wilt, Dutch Elm Disease, Vascular Wilt of Cacao Trees, Rapid Decline of Macadamia Trees, and Wilt of Coffee and Tea Trees. He was a co-founder, and lifetime member, of the International Society of Chemical Ecology.  He received the Entomological Society of America most prestigious research honor, Founders' Lecturer.  His work on the national use of DDT insecticide to control beetle vectors of the Dutch Elm Disease fungus preceded Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring", in publically calling for a ban on this insecticide.  The American Elm Research Institute was created initially to provide financial support for Dr. Norris' pioneering development of pesticides for injection into elms and other trees. The basic technology and chemicals which he developed during the late 1950's and early 1960's allowed a revolution in the tree profession. Dr. Norris held several patents based on his research findings.  As part of their Centennial Celebration in 1980 (1880-1980), Iowa State University, chose Professor Norris as their most eminent alumnus physiologist.  Washington State and University also named Dr. Norris to a Distinguished Lectureship during their Centennial Celebration, 1988-1990.  The State of Kentucky named Dale a "Kentucky Colonel" in recognition of his international research contributions.  Dozens of other states, countries, academic institutions, and research institutes throughout the world invited Dr. Norris to present special consultations and/or distinguished lectures. Professor Norris had a great tendency to leave favorable, quite indelible, impressions on the students he mentored.  His mentoring yielded, directly or indirectly, a network of exceptional researchers, teachers, and entrepreneurs interwoven throughout more than 80 countries.  His first spouse Eleanor (Brown) Norris, mother of their two surviving daughters, Kathleen (Mark) Eisenmann and Elizabeth (Eddie) Esser, preceded him in death in 1963.   Dale was also preceded in death by his parents, sister Elaine Goodwin, and sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and Jack Keats.  He married Kim Louise Viney in 1989, and she survives him.  Dale is also survived by a brother, John Robert Norris, a brother-in-law, Robert Goodwin and nieces and nephews.  In honor of Dale's wishes, there will be no services.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, or the Montgomery County History Center, 2700 N. 4th, Red Oak, IA  53566. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.