Gideon Herman Boewe, 75, of Champaign, a native of Richland County, died suddenly on December 15, 1970 at his home in Champaign, Illinois.

Mr. Boewe was born October 3, 1895 at Parkersburg, Illinois, the son of Henry M. and Augusta Maas Boewe.  He was married to Isabelle Shafer on June 12, 1921 in Olney, Illinois.  She survives.  In addition to his wife he is survived by a brother, Ellis of West Salem.  His parents, three brothers and a sister preceded him in death.

Mr. Boewe, who has numerous relatives in Richland and Edwards Counties, was a widely known plant pathologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey.

Mr. Boewe attended rural schools in Richland County and later graduated from the Olney Township High School in 1918.  From 1918 until 1924, he taught in the rural schools of Richland and Lawrence counties.

He received his bachelor of Education degree from Eastern Illinois University at Charleston in 1928 and received his master’s degree in science in 1930 from the University of Illinois.

He became an employee of the Illinois Natural History Survey on March 17, 1930 and received numerous promotions during his tenure there.  At the time of his retirement in 1966, he was associate plant pathologist. He was a member of numerous scientific and professional organizations in connection with his duties and was a recognized authority in his profession.

Mr. Boewe  was a very active 40-year member in the First United Methodist Church in Champaign. 

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)