An Eastern Great Lakes Region member: Dr. Carolyn Merry
Eastern Great Lakes Region board and its members will deeply miss Carolyn; she touched all of our lives in the most positive ways. She was an enormous treasure and a source of inspiration on a deeply personal level to all of us.
Carolyn Merry was many things to many people; she was a daughter, sister, wife, aunt, student, colleague, teacher, mentor and most of all friend. But for Eastern Great Lakes Region members she will always be remembered fondly as “our Carolyn”.
Our members have attended ASPRS and EGLR conferences, workshops and meetings with Carolyn where she was an active member since 1975. She served in many elected and appointed positions in professional organizations including serving as President of ASPRS.
Carolyn was among our regions’ members that are pioneers, legends, innovators and world renown in their fields.
I had the good fortune of first meeting Carolyn a few years ago at a region technical meeting held in Columbus, Ohio at The Ohio State University. I really liked her spirit, she was quietly impressive, and a gentle but composed force. I could not remember her name so I kept asking Jim Peters about her, asking if she was going to our next meeting and if she was presenting. I had the chance to chat with her at the Baltimore ASPRS conference at an impromptu small gathering of our region members where she was warm, friendly and talkative; she was a delight to be with. When she retired from The Ohio State University I had the opportunity to voice my admiration for her by telling her that she is a delightful jewel and a true treasure to our region and I would miss seeing her at our events. Then in March at the Louisville, Kentucky ASPRS conference we had a few private moments where she took the time to ask if I was ok and how I was fairing with my job search and even asked what I wanted to do with my life. Her concern for my well being was touching and I opened up to her with some honest truths.
I will always cherish the talks and encounters that I had with Carolyn and I am happy that I told her how treasured she is. She was approachable and genuine with a kind and gentle spirit.
We the board and members of Eastern Great Lakes Region are immensely proud of all of Carolyn’s accomplishments, but words are insufficient to express how much she will be missed.
Karen Carter
President EGLR
