Western Michigan University - Brown and Gold Yearbook (Kalamazoo, MI)

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DR. LE ROY HARVEY In every group of men associated together for a common purpose, there are always a few who, because of innate ability or compelling personality, occupy a com- manding position. Such a man was Le Roy H. Harvey, Ph. D., who in the fall of 1908 came to Kalamazoo to establish and direct the Department of Biology in Western Normal. Fresh from his work in the laboratories of the University of Chicago, from which school he had just received his doctor ' s degree, and tested by some years of collegiate teaching, he at once assumed and thereafter held a high place among his colleagues by virtue of his scholarship, his teaching ability, and his attractive per- sonality. The direct descendant of a noted scientist, it was but natural that his intellectual interests were early directed to the field of biologic science, in which, in his mature years he became such a distinguished worker. With the solid training acquired in the Universities of Maine and Chicago, in both of which institutions he distingushed himself as a student, he entered upon his life work with boundless energy and immense enthusiasm and would have gone far but for his untimely death just at the time when he was in the full vigor of an extraordinary intellectual life. There are some things about this beloved colleague and friend that are worth setting down and remembering. 1. He was exceptionally well prepared and trained. He knew his subject. 2. He was constantly in touch with other workers in his field and with its literature. He was a student always. 3. He was constantly at work upon some problem of research which, when completed, he published and thus ga e to the world the benefit of his studies. He was alive and growing. 4. He had a passionate love of truth. Of everything he asked, Is it true? Why is it true? To this touchstone he brought everything. Honest himself, he asked honesty of everyone. 5. He was an inspiring teacher. He could excite interest and command service in unstinted measure from his students. ] Iany young men and women got from him a new view of life; and a new interest in the world about them. b. He was a man of influence in the community, interested in every good word and work. He gave of his strength freely to outside causes. Especially was he inter- ested in good health and good living. 7. He was an influential member of the faculty, a constructive worker and one with whom it was a pleasure to collaborate. His philosophy was optimistic and looked toward better conditions. 8. He was a gentleman in the best sense of the word, not scholastic, cold or distant, but affable, friendly, and helpful. 9. He was a friend well worth having, and those who knew him best loved him the more dearly for his many endearing qualities of mind and heart.

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LEROY HARVEY, Ph. D

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Dr. Harvey was but 43 years of age when he was called up higher. Had he lived he would have gone far in his profession. He lived a full life and a valuable one, a life of real service and attainment. His talent was not laid away in a napkin nor was his light hidden mider a bushel. This community is the richer for his brief years here. To Western Normal which he so faithfully and so notably served, he has left a worthy legacy of honorable service. His colleagues, his students, the com- munity, and the science he so signally honored are his debtors for the inspiring example he set. The fragrance of his gracious personality will long be as a sweet savor in our nostrils, and the example he set of honest work and honest living will serve as a spur, to all of us who knew him, to greater and more heroic efforts for the welfare of mankind. 3n £@emortam HAROLD SHAFER ' God ' s liiufer toucli ' d luiii, and lie slept.