Beaverton Historical Society
Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
 
Dr. Milford McKimmy

   Dr. Milford D. McKimmy "Mac", 73, of Corvallis, Ore., died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 at Heart of the Valley Care Center in Corvallis, Ore. Born Dec. 22, 1923 in Beaverton to Clayton L. and Hazel M. (Smith) McKimmy, he was raised on the family farm. His love for the forest attracted him to study wood utilization and technology at Michigan State University, earning his BS degree in 1949. He obtained an MS degree in forest products at Oregon State University in 1951 and Ph.D. in wood technology from New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1955. During World War II he served as a reconnaissance sergeant in the sixth field artillery in the Philippines.

   During his 33 years of service to Oregon State University, first as an instructor and finally as a professor of forest products, he made many important contributions to research, mainly in the area of wood structure and quality. Under his guidance, a new x-ray densitometry laboratory was developed. During the summer of 1959-1960, he worked for the Warm Springs Indian Reservation on a research project to help develop their forest resources.

   Mac was particularly liked and respected for his devotion to his students, having taught every course offered by the department. In 1966-1967, he was awarded the Charles Bullard Forest Research Fellowship at Harvard University and spent the year on sabbatical in Petersham, Mass. He retired as professor emeritus from Oregon State University in 1986. Mac was a skilled mountain climber and hiker. He enjoyed photography and reading. He married "Peggy" Barnard, Aug. 21, 1954.

   Dr. McKimmy was a member of the College United Methodist Church in Philomath, Ore., the Forest Products Research Society, the America Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society of Wood Preservers' Association, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, and the West Coast Dry Kiln Association.

   Besides his wife he is survived by two sons, Roger of Eugene, Ore. and Andrew of Ashland, Ore.; two daughters, Janet McKimmy of Corvallis, Mildred King and June Havens, all of Beaverton; Alice Mayer of Oakland, Calif.; Margaret Pietras of Saginaw, May Covey of Modesto, Calif,; and Iola Whitehead of Phoenix, Ariz.; one brother, Howard McKimmy of Beaverton; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Ronald, John, and Herbert; and a sister, Muriel.

   Services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the College United Methodist Church in Philomath, Ore. with Rev. Johnathan Enz officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon State University Forestry Scholarship Fund or to the College United Methodist Church in care of DeMoss-Durdan Garden Chapel, 815 NW Buchanan, Corvallis, Ore. 97330.

 
 
Personal Information
Death Date
Burial/Final Location
Service
10/08/1997
Unknown
WWI Recon. Sgt. 6th Field Artillery
 
Publication Information
Pub. Date
Publication
Pub. Page
10/15/1997
Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
P:? C:?
 
Transcription Information
Date
Transcribed by
Source Media
January 2005
Tom Ladner
Microfilm
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