Dr. William Dudley Burbanck

BURBANCK -

Dr. William Dudley Burbanck, age 92, Professor Emeritus of the Emory University Department of Biology, departed this life peacefully at Hospice Atlanta on September 5, 2005. He was born in Richmond, IN, son of Reverend G. G. and Flora Burbanck and had twin older sisters, Miriam and Marguerite. His professional life as a Professor began at Earlham College, IN  in 1931 and continued through University of Chicago, The City College of New York, Drury College, MO, Marine Biological Laboratory, MA and Emory University (1949-1980).  His tenure at Emory University included his service as chair from 1952-1957 and teaching assignments included general biology, bacteriology, protozoology, and field ecology.  Dr. Burbanck produced 28 graduate students who completed 40 degrees (M.S. and PhD.) in areas of protozoology and estuarine ecology, and in areas of his primary interest ecology of the estuarine isopod Cyathura polita. This research centered on Cape Cod populations of Cyathura but extended out to Nova Scotia to the north and Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana to the south and from Baja California to Vancouver in the west.  A species of Cyathura was also named in his honor, burbancki. Grants from NSF, NIH and others resulted in funds well over 1.5 million dollars and over 70 published papers and chapters in three books.  Dr. Burbanck foresaw the need for field research and teaching facilities and was involved in the establishment of two field stations one on the Georgia coast near Brunswick and the other at Emory University?s Lullwater Estate.  One of his greatest joys was traveling to regional, national and international conferences including six trips to Europe where papers were presented to the Society of Protozoology and the International Limnology Society.  Awards and offices include Sigma XI, Phi Sigma, Phi Beta Kappa, President Association of Southeastern Biologists, President Southeastern Estuarine Research Society, Associate Editor Estuaries, and Vice President Society of Protozoology.  In addition to his east coast, west coast and European pursuit of Cyathura Dr. Burbanck enjoyed playing tennis and bridge with his family, friends and colleagues. Other hobbies included genealogy, sculpting, drawing and a love of music, light opera; he sang in college productions of Gilbert and Sullivan and attended Metropolitan Opera productions in Atlanta.  His heirs have happily inherited many of these traits. Dr. Burbanck is survived by his wife of 65 years Madeline, two children Melinda and George, his son and daughter in law John and Sabrina, five grandchildren, John Jr. and Laura, Alexander, Chelsea, Graham, and two great-grandchildren, Megan and Dylan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visiting Nurse/ Hospice Atlanta Development Office 100 Edgewood Ave Suite 900 Atlanta, GA  30303. A memorial to the life of Dr. William D. Burbanck will be Saturday morning September 10th at 11:00 am, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Decatur, Georgia,404.377.2622.  Interment will be Tuesday, September 13 at 10:00 am at the Church of the Messiah, Woods Hole, MA, 508.548.2145.