PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
July 2014
611
In Memoriam
C
arolyn
J
ean
M
erry
1950–2014
A
SPRS President 2010-11
It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the loss of a
respected and long-time member, Past President, friend and
mentor, Carolyn Jean Merry, PhD., retired Professor and
Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic
Engineering at The Ohio State University.
Merry was tragically killed on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, in a
highway automobile crash in her home state of Ohio. The vehicle
she was driving was struck from behind by a tractor trailer that
failed to stop for traffic backed up due to an earlier crash.
ASPRS officers and staff members who worked with Merry
remember her warmth, calm demeanor and friendliness and
were grateful for the reasoned advice she readily provided.
“She was caring of officers and members of the Society, very
willing to participate in student sessions, and gave selflessly
of her time for the benefit of the Society and its members” said
Stewart Walker, ASPRS President.
Merry joined ASPRS in 1975 and became involved in its
governance when she was elected Vice President in 2008, suc-
ceeding to President-Elect in 2009, President in 2010 and Past
President in 2011. During her years of involvement with the
Society she was instrumental in forming relationships with var-
ious other organizations for which she held leadership positions.
Her service and leadership to professional societies and agen-
cies included: President, University Consortium for Geographic
Information Science; President, American Society of Civil Engi-
neering (ASCE) Central Ohio Section; and Chair, Coalition of
Geospatial Organizations (COGO). Her leadership positions at
the national level are: Chair, ASCE Civil Engineering Depart-
ment Heads Coordinating Council; Member, National Geospa-
tial Advisory Committee (NGAC); and Member, National Acad-
emy of Sciences, Mapping Science Committee.
After leaving office, she continued to be involved with the
Society. “We are all saddened by her passing and thankful for
all Carolyn contributed to ASPRS over the years” said Michael
Hauck, PhD., ASPRS Executive Director.
Merry was a world-renowned scholar in remote sensing and
geographic information systems, she retired in May of 2013 after
25 years of distinguished service at The Ohio State University.
“When I think of Carolyn, I see her radiance, energy and
contagious enthusiasm, loyalty and dedication, and highest of
personal and professional integrity. Carolyn’s untimely death is
an unspeakable loss to her family, Ohio State and the professional
community, and to countless people, who had a privilege of
knowing her and calling her a friend” stated Dorota A. Grejner-
Brzezinska, Chair of the College of Engineering Department of
Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering at the Ohio State
University in a release Thursday, June 5, 2014.
Merry is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob) Redfield of
Hilliard, Ohio; sister, Patricia Merry; brothers, James Merry
(Kim) and Donald Merry (Amber); several nieces, nephews
and great-nieces. Services will be held at Schoedinger and Co.
Funeral-home, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, OH 43221, (614)
457-5481 on June 6 and June 7, 2014 for friends and family.
Additional information and a guest book are available
at
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aspx?n=carolyn-j-merry&pid=171235890&fhid=8704
A private service for the immediate family will be held sepa-
rately. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in
her memory be made to the Carolyn J. Merry Engineering Schol-
arship Fund, Fund Number 664695 at the Ohio State University.
To send a check by mail, please make check payable to The
Ohio State University Foundation.
Checks may be mailed to the following address: The Ohio
State University Foundation, 1480 West Lane Avenue,
Columbus, OH 43221.
Online gifts may be made at the following website: give.osu.
edu/DrCarolynMerry
