We regret to inform you that Dr. Les Lanyon passed away unexpectedly on May 26, 2004. For further information, please call 814 865-2025.

Obituary

Les E. Lanyon, 55, of State College, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004.

Born Sept. 15, 1948, he was a son of Les and Carol Lanyon.

On July 24, 1971, he married Roseann Clemente, who survives.

Les earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from Iowa State University in 1970.

From 1970 to 1972, he served in the U.S. Army, field artillery, stationed in Germany.

He later earned advanced degrees from The Ohio State University, a Master of Science degree in agronomy in 1975 and a doctorate in agronomy in 1977. He was a professor of soil science and management at Penn State. He held teaching, research and extension responsibilities since his appointment to the faculty in 1977. His research focused on the development of agricultural management practices that integrated the protection of natural resources with successful agricultural production. He was known for his work to protect water quality, especially significant resources such as the Chesapeake Bay. In 1991, he was chosen as a Berg Fellow by the Soil and Water Conservation Society. He received the research award of the Northeast Branch of the American Society of Agronomy in 1999. He was a member of the American Society of Agronomy and served on its board of directors, the Ecological Society of America, the Soil Science Society of America, the Soil and Water Conservation Society, the Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council, and the Pennsylvania Lime, Fertilizer and Pesticide Society.

He was also a member of several national honor societies including Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Xi.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Stella as Earth Center, Sisters of St. Francis, in care of Sister Edith Wyss, 4421 Lower River Road, Buffalo, NY 14111.