Aaron H. O’Bier, Jr., PhD., passed away on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the age of 88. Mr. O’Bier was the son of Aaron O’Bier, Sr. and Edna Marguerite Parks. He was born in Miami, Florida, lived in Marcus Hook, PA briefly, and grew up in Kinsale. He served in the US Navy during World War II aboard a mine sweeper in the Atlantic and later in the Pacific, clearing mines prior to landing US troops on island held by the Japanese. He received a B.A. and Masters degree in Biology from the University of Richmond, and a PhD in Botany from Virginia Tech. He received a National Science Foundation grant for genetic research from the University of California at Berkley. He was a biology laboratory instructor in the School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia; taught at Stetson University in Deland, FL; and was a tenured professor at Newberry College in South Carolina. Many of his students went on to study medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry. He retired after 15 years with the State Health Department of VA. He enjoyed playing the violin (traditional folk music and bluegrass) and played regularly with a small group of friends. This was a source of great pleasure. He became interested in building violins, and was able to complete two. Mr. O’Bier is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathleene Cooke O’Bier; a sister, Ann Bartlett (James); a niece, Annette Bartlett; a great-niece, Candice Westman; a great-nephew, Dustin Westman (Shannon); and a great-great niece, Doriann Westman. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Hugh Charles O’Bier, and Donald Zephariah O’Bier. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2015 in the Melrose United Methodist Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 2 p.m. in the Melrose United Methodist Church, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Callao Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 82, Callao, VA, 22435.
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