Dr. Emery L. Will


Emery L. Will passed away on May 22, 2007 after a lengthy period of illness.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Clise Will; two children, Barbara (Will) Bowers and Gerry Bowers of Sacramento, California and Janet (Will) Jameson and Gene Loesor of Victor, New York; a grandson Gregory Jameson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Will was born in Batavia, New York on March 15, 1919 to Dr. Emery and Virginia (Lewis) Will.

He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hobart College and his Master of Science Degree and PH.D Degree from Cornell University. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Kappa and Beta Beta Beta.

He served in active overseas duty during World War II in the Pacific, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. After his return, he taught at the University of Louisville, Kentucky and the University of Northern Iowa before moving with his young family to Oneonta, New York in 1952 where he dedicated the rest of his professional career.

Dr. Will was a science (biology) and science education professor at the State University College at Oneonta (SUCO) beginning in 1952. He was promoted to Chairman of the SUCO Science Department in 1954 and later to Director of Academic Advisement at the college. Among his many achievements included directorship of the National Science Foundation Institute and coordination of the in-service SUCO Institute for six years. He also was one of the first professors to appear on local television (a Schenectady-based station) in the 1950's about science related topics. He spoke at Oneonta service clubs, garden clubs, church groups, parent-teacher groups and school assemblies as well as organized and managed an Oneonta series of Audubon Society Tours.

At the state and national levels, Emery Will was President of the American Nature Study Society and the NYS Science Teachers Association. He served as a member of advisory panels for the National Science Foundation, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the NYS Education Department; he was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Iowa Academy of Science. Dr. Will wrote numerous articles and regular columns, chiefly in science education journals.

He will be buried in a private service in Geneva, New York.

Contributions in loving memory of Dr. Emery Will may be sent to the College at Oneonta Foundation's Science Initiative; payable to : College at Oneonta Foundation; mail to: College at Oneonta Foundation, Office of College Advancement, 308 Netzer Administrative Building, College at Oneonta, Oneonta, New York 13820; specify the "Science Initiative" on the cover letter and/or check; questions may be directed to 607-436-2535.

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home at 51 Dietz Street is coordinating the arrangements and may be contacted with any questions.