Obit: Barnes, William (1937 - 2010)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: rloss@bellsouth.net

Surnames: Barnes, Cvancara, Riederer, Thieme

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, January 14, 2010, online edition

----Barnes, William (June 4, 1937 - January 2, 2010)

William "Bill" Barnes, 72, Eau Claire, died Saturday, Jan. 2 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, of cancer.

After cremation, services will be held Sunday, Jan. 10 at 12 p.m. at Westgate Sportsman Club in Eau Claire.

William Barnes was born June 4, 1937 in Rib Lake to the late William A. and Hermina Barnes.

He graduated from Rib Lake High School in 1955. He served in the military from 1955 to 1958 as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in North Carolina, and as a chief of message center in a Nike Missile Battalion in Germany.

In 1959 he married Helen Thieme, who preceded him in death.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, broadfield science and secondary education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1964, and taught science courses at Lodi High School from 1964 to 1968. He obtained a Master of Science degree in botany/zoology in 1968 and a Ph.D. in botany, plant ecology, from UW-Madison in 1972. He then taught plant ecology, ecology and botany at UW-Eau Claire from 1972 until his retirement in 1999. During this time he authored 12 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles principally on flood plain forest dynamics.

He was a naturalist, cross-country skier and canoeist. He participated in many canoe races, both local, nationwide and in Canada. He and his wife won a national championship for their age group in Pennsylvania in 1992. He spent many hours on the river training with partners, fishing with friends and paddling with family. He was an avid hunter, skier and skied the Birkebeiner 10 times. He also enjoyed travel and nature photography.

Survivors include a son, Bill (Cherise) of Lakeville, Minn.; a daughter, Susan (Jerry) Riederer of Amherst; a brother, David (Bonnie); special friend, Eileen Cvancara; four grandchildren, Rachel, Claire and Nate Barnes of Lakeville, and Maggie Riederer of Amherst; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth; and a brother, Dennis.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to the Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home of Eau Claire assisted the family with arrangements.