Edward Ronald Decker, PhD, 76, died peacefully January 30, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 7, 1938 in Fulton, NY, son of Edward Francis and Mabel (Stacey) Decker. He graduated valedictorian from Cato-Meridian Central School, Cato, NY.
On September 3, 1961 he married his high school sweetheart Eva VanNorstrand. In 1960, Edward received a B.A. from Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, Magna Cum Laude, with high honors in mathematics. In 1962, he received an M.A. in Geophysics from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1966, he received a PhD in Geophysics from Harvard University and was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow from 1966-1969 in Geophysics at Harvard University. From 1969-1980, he was professor of Geology at the University of Wyoming and from 1980-1981, a staff member of Geophysics Group at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico. From 1981-2001, he was professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Maine at Orono, Maine and from 2001 until his death, he served as professor emeritus of Geological Studies at the University of Maine.
Dr. Decker was well regarded and respected in his field and his research was widely published. He traveled extensively to conduct and speak about his research, including such places as New Zealand, Antarctica, Japan, and the former Soviet Union. He remained active until his final illness, most recently working with the Maine Geological Survey.
Surviving in addition to his wife Eva are two sons, Edward G. Decker, of Albany, NY and Christopher S. Decker and his wife Jennifer, of Omaha, NE; 2 grandsons Michael Edward Decker and Evan Harold Decker, both of Omaha, Nebraska. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Jeanette Streeter.
A Memorial Service will be held 2p.m. Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Buchanan Alumni House, 160 College Avenue, Orono, with the Reverend Dr. Rex H. Garrett, Director of Chaplaincy Services, EMMC officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share in conversation and refreshments at the Buchanan House immediately following the service Friday. Burial will be Cato, NY in the spring.
Those who wish to remember Edward in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 411 Second Street N.W., Rochester, MN 55901 or the Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at WWW.BROOKINGSSMITH.COM
On September 3, 1961 he married his high school sweetheart Eva VanNorstrand. In 1960, Edward received a B.A. from Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, Magna Cum Laude, with high honors in mathematics. In 1962, he received an M.A. in Geophysics from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1966, he received a PhD in Geophysics from Harvard University and was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow from 1966-1969 in Geophysics at Harvard University. From 1969-1980, he was professor of Geology at the University of Wyoming and from 1980-1981, a staff member of Geophysics Group at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico. From 1981-2001, he was professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Maine at Orono, Maine and from 2001 until his death, he served as professor emeritus of Geological Studies at the University of Maine.
Dr. Decker was well regarded and respected in his field and his research was widely published. He traveled extensively to conduct and speak about his research, including such places as New Zealand, Antarctica, Japan, and the former Soviet Union. He remained active until his final illness, most recently working with the Maine Geological Survey.
Surviving in addition to his wife Eva are two sons, Edward G. Decker, of Albany, NY and Christopher S. Decker and his wife Jennifer, of Omaha, NE; 2 grandsons Michael Edward Decker and Evan Harold Decker, both of Omaha, Nebraska. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Jeanette Streeter.
A Memorial Service will be held 2p.m. Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Buchanan Alumni House, 160 College Avenue, Orono, with the Reverend Dr. Rex H. Garrett, Director of Chaplaincy Services, EMMC officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share in conversation and refreshments at the Buchanan House immediately following the service Friday. Burial will be Cato, NY in the spring.
Those who wish to remember Edward in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 411 Second Street N.W., Rochester, MN 55901 or the Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at WWW.BROOKINGSSMITH.COM
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