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This memorial website was created to remember William B. Jackson who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 10, 1926 and passed away on July 15, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. You will live forever in our memories and hearts.

Dr. William B. Jackson

1926-2010

Dr. William B. Jackson of Chicago, IL, formerly of Bowling Green, OH, passed away on July 15, 2010.  He was a scientist, teacher, husband, father, and grandfather.  Over the years he served as a mentor to many people, at home and abroad, who found their way into his circle of influence.


He was born in Milwaukee, WI on September 10, 1926 and the hours he spent collecting insects and watching birds in his early years led to being president of his high school nature club and an Eagle Scout.  He earned his BA and MA from the University of Wisconsin, and his ScD in vertebrate ecology from the School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he was involved in groundbreaking research on the ecology of urban rats.  Several years as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service were followed by two years in Micronesia with wife Shirley studying rodent populations for the Pacific Science Board/National Research Council.  This was just the start of his international life – he ultimately visited and worked on all continents except Antarctica, as well as many islands, notably Bikini and Enewetak Atolls where he studied the effects of nuclear testing on rat and bird populations.  

 

Upon returning from Micronesia in 1957, Bill found his home base at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.  He served in many roles at BGSU including Professor of Zoology, Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and Director of the Environmental Studies Center, which he established.  He trained over 100 graduate students – 60 international students -- in basic and applied ecology, with many conducting their research at the National Wildlife Center in Colorado.  Many went on to hold important positions in industry and government at home and abroad.  Before his retirement in 1985 he was named “Distinguished University Professor of Biological Sciences.” 

 

Recognized as a world expert in rodents and birds, he was a very active consultant, assisting the US Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, the US Atomic Energy Commission, the US Agency for International Development, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the City of Boston’s Central Artery (“Big Dig”) Project, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as well as many US and international foundations and companies.  Over the course of his career he published over 200 technical and popular papers and book chapters, and lent his expertise to 60 Minutes, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, National Geographic, Time, and others.  In 1995 he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for “superior efforts to enhance human-wildlife relationships” by the Berryman Institute for Wildlife Damage at Utah State University.

 

Bill was a member of Sigma Xi, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. He was past chairman of the American Society for Testing and Materials, and the Executive Director for 20 years of Pi Chi Omega, the national honorary fraternity of pest control professionals supporting the science of pest control.


Bill shared his love of nature and travel with his family and he will be missed very much.  He is survived by his wife Shirley, his children Beth, Mark & Craig and their spouses, and his grandchildren Kathleen and Elizabeth.  A celebration reception of his life is planned for August 14, 2010 at The Clare at Water Tower, 55 E. Pearson St., Chicago, IL 60611, 1:00-3:00pm. 

 

The following is a tribute from the Pest Control Technology Online website, a copy of which was provided to the family.  It is worth sharing.


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In Memoriam: Dr. William Jackson - Image Headline news

In Memoriam: Dr. William Jackson

7/27/2010

The pest control industry mourns the loss of Dr. William B. Jackson, a world-renowned bird and rodent expert who was a faculty member at Bowling Green State University for more than 25 years. Jackson passed away on July 15, 2010, at age 83.




The pest control industry mourns the loss of Dr. William B. Jackson, a world-renowned bird and rodent expert who was a faculty member at Bowling Green State University for more than 25 years. Jackson passed away on July 15, 2010, at age 83.

Jackson is remembered as a mentor to many people — at home and abroad — including Bobby Corrigan, PCT columnist and president of RMC Pest Management Consulting. “Dr. Jackson’s body of work in the field of rodent pest management moved the science forward and emphasized the need for environmental management serving as the cornerstone of sustainable urban rodent management efforts,” Corrigan said. “Many cities around the world are healthier places to live as a result of the work of Dr. William Jackson.”

Jackson is perhaps best known for his work in the identification of warfarin-resistance in rodents and his extensive study of the effects of this substance, as well as the evolution of counter measures designed to eliminate that resistance.

Related
Click here to read an tribute that ran in the BGSURA written by BGSU professor Janis Pallister.

A native of Milwaukee, Wis., Jackson earned his BA and MA from the University of Wisconsin, and his ScD in vertebrate ecology from the School of Hygiene and Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he was involved in groundbreaking research on the ecology of urban rats. Several years as a commissioned officer in the public health service were followed by two years in Micronesia with wife Shirley, studying rodent populations for the Pacific Science Board/National Research Council. He later would visit and work on all continents except Antarctica, as well as many islands, notably Bikini and Enewetak Atolls, where he studied the effects of nuclear testing on rat and bird populations.

Bill Jackson (right) and Purdue University's Dr. John Osmun (left), were longtime colleagues and friends. Jackson is pictured here at a Pi Chi Omega meeting at which Osmun was recognized for his contributions to the fraternity.
Dr. Jackson remained active in the industry long after his retirement in 1985. He is pictured above speaking at PCT's Rodent Management Summit in 2002.

Upon returning from Micronesia in 1957, Jackson found his home base at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.  He served in many roles at BGSU including professor of Zoology, assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and director of the Environmental Studies Center, which he established.  He trained more than 100 graduate students – 60 international students - in basic and applied ecology, with many conducting their research at the National Wildlife Center in Colorado. 

Jackson retired from BGSU in 1985 but remained active at the university and within the pest control industry, serving as executive president of Pi Chi Omega, the national pest control fraternity, from 1980 to 2000. Jackson was succeeded in 2000 by Vern Toblan, current executive president of Phi Chi Omega. “Bill was a good friend and mentor and certainly instrumental in recruiting me to be his successor,” said Toblan.

Jackson is survived by wife Shirley, his children Beth, Mark and Craig and their spouses, and his grandchildren Kathleen and Elizabeth. A celebration reception of his life is planned for August 14, 2010 at The Clare at Water Tower, 55 E. Pearson St., Chicago, IL 60611.  Condolences or thoughts may be shared at: www.wbj.last-memories.com. Donations in Dr. Jackson’s memory can be made to the Pi Chi Omega Scholarship Fund. For more information contact Vern Toblan at verntoblan@verizon.net.

 

Quick Gallery
Collecting with K and  E Collecting with K and E Collecting with K and E Head of the table Acadia 1996 Stepping out in DC 2003 Making pancakes 2004 Blue Hill hike 2004 At the top 2004 Rockefeller Gardens Unusual gifts... Happy together 2004 Bill and Beth 2007 Bill and the lobster Roll 2006 Happy Trails
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