Obituary of Earl Myers

Earl A. Myers, 83, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Engineering at Penn State University, died on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. Born on January 15, 1929 in Thomasville, he was the son of John W. and Lydian Lillich Myers. On March 10, 1956, he married the former Beatrice May Morrow, of Glasgow, who survives in Pleasant Gap. Earl was a 1946 graduate of East Berlin High School. In 1950 he obtained his bachelor's degree and in 1952 his master's degree in Agricultural Engineering both from Penn State. Earl joined the Penn State faculty in 1951. From 1954-1956 he served in the US Army. In 1960 he received his Ph.D. from Michigan State, also in Agricultural Engineering. During Earl's 23 years on faculty at Penn State he did research and taught primarily in the area of soil and water. He was one of the principle researchers at Penn State's wastewater renovation and conservation project, leading to the development of the "living filter" concept of land disposal of wastewater effluent. He was director of irrigation system research and development over a ten-year period for Penn State's facility. Earl served as chairman of the Solid Waste from Small Food Industries, Inter-Agency Committee involving personnel from the State Departments of Agriculture and Public Health, the Pennsylvania Canner's Association and the University. He also served as chair of the Pennsylvania Quality Tile Committee and was a member of four other state level committees. He belonged to the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, the Water Pollution Control Federation and the Irrigation Association. Earl also worked for 23 years with William and Works consulting firm in Grand Rapids, MI. He consulted with over 40 land application projects in 20 states. In this capacity he designed to expand Penn State's system. In the area of land application of wastewater, he published over 40 articles and gave professional talks at over 30 regional, national and international conferences. Earl was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, State College, and served on the building committee, as well as many years as Secretary of Church Council. He taught Sunday School for over twenty years. He and Bea also served as lay leaders for St. Stephen's Lutheran congregation in McAlevy's Fort for many years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Dawn Myers, of State College, and one son, Glenn Myers and his wife, Sharon, of St. Bonifacius, MN. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clair and George and one sister, Mary Myers. Friends will be received from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday, December 8, 2012, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College and from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m., Sunday, December 9, 2012, at the Grace Lutheran Church. Funeral Service will follow at 2 p.m. at the church with the Reverend P. Stevens Lynn officiating. Burial will be at Centre County Memorial Park, State College. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 205 South Garner Street, State College, PA 16801 or The Oaks, 200 Rachel Drive, Pleasant Gap, PA 16823. 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