Robert John Beyers

Dr. Robert John Beyers was born September 13, 1933 to Wilma and Clifford Beyers in Long Beach, California. He graduated valedictorian from Hollywood High School in Hollywood, California. He attended undergraduate studies at the University of Miami where he met is future wife Barbara Joan Bush. He graduated in June of 1954 with a BS of Zoology. In August of 1954 he and Barbara were married, and he was commissioned in the United States Airforce. He served in several capacities including observer, navigator and instructor. While in the Air Force he served at James Connelly Airforce Base near Waco, Texas where 2 of his 4 children (Barbara and Robert) were born. After he was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1958, he entered the PhD degree program at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. He graduated with a PhD in 1962. He received a post doctorate fellowship at the Institute of Marine Science in Port Aransas, Texas where his third child (Angelique) was born. Completing his fellowship, he moved the family to his mother’s home in Houston, Texas while he attended classes in Oak Ridge, TN in preparation for employment with the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Lab in Aiken, SC. That summer his fourth child (Ann-Marie) was born in Houston, Tx. Dr. Beyers rose thru the ranks of academia to become a Full professor at the University of Georgia and Directory of the Savannah River Ecology Lab. In 1974 he resigned from the University of Georgia to become the Chairman of the Biology Department at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. In 1993 he authored “Ecological Microcosm” which his long-time mentor Howard T. Odem. He retired in 1998. He and Barbara spent their retirement visiting places of interest around the world. Dr. Beyers died unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep April 9, 2021. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Barbara Bush Beyers; children, Barbara & Charlie Gerth of Philadelphia, PA, Robert J. Beyers & Dale Anne Beyers of Pensacola, FL, Angelique and Scott Cunningham of Houston, TX, and Ann-Marie Duncan & Rita Woods of Ashville, NC; five grandchildren, Sean Robert Beyers, Christopher Andrew Beyers, Meagan Sommer Beyers, Katherine Cunningham, and Dominique Reilly; three great-grandchildren, Sadie Grace Beyers, Eowyn Reilly, and Everett James Beyers; and his fur-baby, Micah, his Standard Poodle. Dr. Beyers was preceded in death by his father, General Clifford Beyers; his mother, Wilma O. Beyers; and his sister, G'ann Boyd. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, April 16, 2021 at Holy Family Catholic Church. COVID protocols are required and Masks are to be worn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ASPCA (https://www.aspca.org). Arrangements are by Ascension Funeral Home, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695.