Obituary of Irvin W. Carpenter

Dr. Irvin Watson "Bill" Carpenter, Jr. age 84, died Tuesday evening at Taylor Glen Retirement Community in Concord, NC. Dr. Carpenter was born in Washington, DC, November 29, 1923, son of Ruth McCord and Irvin Watson Carpenter, Sr. He entered Purdue University in the fall of 1941. Following Pearl Harbor, he left Purdue to volunteer for the United States Navy. He served in the US Navy on the U.S.S. Wisconsin until 1946 when he returned to Purdue University. He received a B. S. degree in Forestry, an M. S. degree in Ecology and a PhD. in Botany from Purdue. Dr. Carpenter joined the faculty at Appalachian State University in 1953, and served as professor of Biology for thirty two years. In 1955, he established Appalachian's first Greek Honor Society, Beta Beta Beta, and served as the organization's regional vice president for twenty years. He established the University's Herbarium in 1958. He served as department chair from 1973 to 1980 and received the University's first Trustees Award for Outstanding Teacher in 1971. He received the Alumni Outstanding Service Award in 1986 and was subsequently granted Professor Emeritus status. Dr. Carpenter was a mason and a member of Snow Lodge #363 AF & AM and served as Master in 1960. He received the Veteran's Award for over 50 years of membership. He was also as 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. Dr. Carpenter was a member of the Oasis Shrine Temple, Boone Lions Club, American Legion, Rotary Club of Boone and the First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Long standing members of Yosef Club, he and J. Lou enjoyed countless games and gatherings for App Football. In the early days of ASTC football, he and J. Lou volunteered to film Mountaineer football games and remained avid fans throughout their lives. Following retirement, Bill volunteered at Watauga Medical Center and Meal on Wheels. He is survived by his wife, Jesse Luella "J. Lou" Smith Carpenter; three daughters; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services for Dr. Irvin Watson "Bill" Carpenter, Jr. will be conducted Friday morning December 14, at 11 o'clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel in Boone, NC. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Masonic Graveside services will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the I. W. Carpenter Endowment for the Herbarium in care of ASU Foundation, ASU Box 32007 Boone, NC 28608 or to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home of North Carolina, 700 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC 27420. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Carpenter family.