HALE, Maynard George
Maynard George Hale, of Warm Hearth in Blacksburg, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 12, 2006.
Maynard was born April 5, 1920 in Mentor, Ohio to William Jonathan Hale and Elizabeth Raynor Hale. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Kent State University in 1939. In 1942 he was called to service in the Army where he served for three years and seven months during World War II.
He married Pollyanna Pozniko in 1943. Upon his discharge from the Army he enrolled in Ohio State University where he earned his BS, MS and Ph.D. in Plant Physiology and served as an Assistant. He moved to Blacksburg, Va. in 1951 and was an Associate professor of Plant Physiology at Virginia Tech from 1951 until 1985 and as Professor Emeritus since 1985.
He served as a member, officer and leader in Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society; a member and National Council Representative from 1956 to 1961 of Phi Sigma Society; a member of Phi Epsilon Phi; a member of National Botanical Honorary where he served as National Executive Secretary from 1949 to 1952.
He’s listed in Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Who’s Who in Frontiers of Science and Technology, Directory of International Biography, International Directory of Distinguished Leadership. He was co-author of The Physiology of Plants Under Stress, a undergraduate textbook.
Maynard served in the American Legion as Post Commander and District Vice Commander. He was a longtime member of the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church where he served as Deacon, Elder and chairman of several committees. He was extensively involved in the Boy Scouts of America where he served as a Unit leader from 1957 to 1968; District leader from 1968 to 1973; Leader in the Blue Ridge Mountain Council from 1974 to 1977; a member of the Order of the Arrow; member and staff of Wood badge Leadership Development Course; Course Director for Troop Leader Development Course; member of many committees for program and leadership development. In 1970 he was awarded the highest award in Boy Scouting, the Silver Beaver Award.
Upon his retirement from Virginia Tech, Maynard continued to stay active and involved in life. He continued his longtime hobbies of clock building and repair, carpentry, church activities, photography, walking, camping, fishing, bicycling and spending time with family and friends. Maynard was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Esther Hale Crookshank, Irma Hale Abbott and his wife of 51 years, Pollyanna P. Hale.
He is survived by his wife of six years, Constance Moehring, Blacksburg, Va.; one daughter, Patricia Hale Lyden and son-in-law, John M. Lyden III, Peachtree City, Ga.; one son, Art L. Hale, and daughter-in-law, Frances C. Hale, Albuquerque, N.M.; one grandson, Matthew P. Lyden, Herndon, Va.; one sister, Eunice Hale Abbott, Mentor, Ohio; one great-grandson, Andrew Batko-Lyden; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
Maynard was a loving brother, devoted husband and father, dedicated teacher and leader and a committed friend. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 1 p.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Alex Evans officiating.
Interment will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg. Friends may call anytime after 12 noon Friday, and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.