Dr. Edgar Allen McGinnes Jr.
Dr. Edgar Allen McGinnes Jr. taught his students about the outdoors and taught his about children about cultural diversity.
As a professor in the MU department of forestry, Dr. McGinnes went to special lengths to make his international students feel at home in Missouri.
“Not only would he help them with their doctorates, but they really became part of our family,” his daughter, Christine Borgmeyer, said. “He taught us acceptance of all different types of people that I just admired.”
Dr. McGinnes died Thursday, July 22, 2010. He was 84.
He was born Feb. 15, 1926, in Chestertown, Md., to Edgar Allen McGinnes Sr. and Emily Francis Howard.
Dr. McGinnes served as an Army staff sergeant in the Pacific during World War II and was awarded a Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal and Atlantic Campaign Medal.
He retired from MU in 1988 and was named professor emeritus. He also was named a fellow by the Society of American Foresters for his contributions to the society and forestry.
His daughter, Karen Tervo, said he was a very social person.
“He just really enjoyed being around people; he had a real sense of humor,” she said. “He had a real knack for making people feel good.”
She said that while growing up, no matter what happened, he was able to turn it into something humorous.
“He always saw good in people,” Borgmeyer said. “He was always positive. I think he just saw the good side in everything."
Dr. McGinnes enjoyed traveling, especially to Las Vegas with his wife, Jean. He belonged to bridge clubs and enjoyed bowling and fishing. He also enjoyed his garden. Borgmeyer said he meticulously documented his yields and rainfall every year.
He is survived by his son, Jeffrey Thomas McGinnes of Barnard; two daughters, Borgmeyer of New Bloomfield and Tervo of Holts Summit; three grandchildren, Kenna Tervo, Andrew Wieschhaus and James Wieschhaus; and five great-grandchildren.
His wife died earlier.
Private family services will be held. Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
Online condolences may be left at parkerfuneralservice.com.
