Obituary of Edward Walker Wickersham

Edward W. Wickersham (Ted), 84, of Foxdale Village, State College died on Saturday, April 15, 2017. Born April 26, 1932 in Kelton, PA, He was the son of Howard and Gertrude Wickersham who preceded him in death. Two sisters, Edna Wilkinson and Lewise Kalsbeek also preceded him in death. On June 27, 1959 in Sayre, PA he married Elaine Braund. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, three sons, Steven of Pittsburgh, Mark and his wife, Tracie of Bellefonte, and Karl of Red Bank, NJ; three grandchildren, Ryan and Eric of Pittsburgh and Kathleen of Bellefonte; one sister, Anna Bishop and her husband, Don of Lima, OH, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ted was a 1950 graduate of Westtown School. He earned both a bachelor's degree in Dairy Science with a minor in physiology in 1957 and a Master's degree in dairy science with a minor in reproductive physiology in 1959 at Penn State. He earned a doctoral degree in dairy science with a minor in reproductive physiology in 1962 at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he also completed a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowship in endocrinology. Before coming to Penn State in 1964, he was an assistant professor of biology at West Virginia University. During his 35 years of service at Penn State, Ted received multiple awards including that of Master Teacher for his outstanding teaching and advising of students. He was a thesis advisor for 26 masters degree students and 6 doctoral students and was a member of more than 60 doctoral committees. He also gave talks at more than 100 invited symposia for Penn State students during his tenure. He retired in 1998 as associate professor emeritus of Biology. Ted loved his family, teaching, and advising students, and gardening. He accomplished many home ownership projects. A memorial service will be held at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the Foxdale Village auditorium, 500 E. Marylyn Ave, State College. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ted's memory to: The Community Fund at Foxdale Village, Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College, PA 16801, Westtown School, Westtown Fund, 975 Westtown Rd, West Chester, PA 19382-5700 with "In memory of Edward W. Wickersham" on memo line, or Longwood Gardens, Attention to Dennis Fisher, PO Box 501, Kennett Square, PA 19348. The family expresses their grateful thanks and appreciation to the remarkably caring and attentive staff of Anthony House at Foxdale Village, and a very special thanks to Dr. Sepich of the Health Home. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.