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Obituary : Barth Elliot Mapes |
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In loving memory of Barth Elliot Mapes, who died on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at
the age of 84. He was a resident of Kendal at Ithaca, NY.
Barth came to
Ithaca as a Cornell student following World War II, during which he served as a
U.S. Army Air Corps pilot with a special love of B25s.
After graduation
in 1949 he was the manager of two different farms, one in Geneva, and one in
Mount Kisco, NY. Returning to campus in November 1953, he began a long career in
the Department of Animal Husbandry/Animal Science, where he served five
department chairs in administrative tasks. He was involved in the planning and
building of Morrison Hall and the Teaching and Research Center, where he served
as Operations Manager. A dedicated student advisor, Barth enjoyed knowing and
guiding over 300 students before he retired in 1988.
Barth is survived by
his wife, Martha Clark Mapes; daughter, Kathryn Clark; son, Barth David
(Rhonda); four granddaughters: Gwynne, Becky, Anna and Meghan, and his sister,
Carol Lane (William). He was the second son of John Pelton Mapes and Lela
Scheuren Mapes of Monticello, NY. His parents and brother, John F. (Alice) of
Manlius, are deceased.
Barth's Ithaca activities included: school,
church, and Cornell activities: PTA Co-President at Northeast School, Cub Scout
leader, Sunday School teacher and Chairman of the Board, at First Methodist
Church, Ithaca, as well as deacon, elder, and member of the Finance Committee at
First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca. He was a charter member, president and
treasurer of the Ithaca Cayuga Rotary as well as a Paul Harris designee. Other
activities included Ithaca Yacht Club (youth activities), Alpha Gamma Rho
Fraternity, Sphinx Head Honor Society, and Grad Fax Dance Club. He often drove
for the FISH organization.
Martha and Barth enjoyed a close and happy
life and were privileged to have a wonderful daughter, son and daughter-in-law,
and four lovely granddaughters, as well as many nieces, nephews and
cousins.
Family life included many treasured moments such as times spent
at home in Ithaca and Lansing, and at the family cottage in Ontario, Canada.
Family travels included a camping trip to Oregon, a train trip to Jasper, Banff,
and Vancouver, and two-week trips to Alaska and Scotland/England. In addition,
Martha and Barth enjoyed many trips to Europe and the Scandinavian countries.
Cornell Alumni trips took them to France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Argentina,
Chili and New Zealand.
In addition to traveling, Barth loved being
outdoors farming and gardening and indoors reading, dancing, or playing and
watching basketball. He also enjoyed following the New York Yankees like his
father and grandfather, who early on took him to Yankee Stadium. Most of all,
Barth liked people and they liked him.
A tribute from a high school
classmate still stands true: "There were few people in our class who earned the
admiration that Barth did and deserved. I had a tremendous respect for him and
his gentlemanly ways. He was a good man."
Memorials may be directed to
the Lansing Community Library, 27 Auburn Rd., Lansing, NY 14882 or the Salvation
Army, 150 N. Albany St., Ithaca, NY 14850.
A Memorial Service will be
held at the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca on Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m.,
followed by a reception at Kendal Retirement Community on Triphammer
Rd.
Family may be contacted at 405 Savage Farm Road, Ithaca, NY
14850.
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