DR. JOHN R. BAGBY, JR.
March 3, 1919 ~ June 11, 2012
Dr. John R. Bagby, Jr., 93, of Columbia, South Carolina, formerly of Jefferson City, died Monday, June 11, 2012, in Columbia, SC.
He was born on March 3, 1919, in Aurora, Mo., the son of the late John Roscoe Bagby, Sr., and Grace Elizabeth Seburn Bagby.
He was united in marriage on October 17, 1943, in Aurora, Mo., to Billie Hudson who preceded him in death on May 25, 2009.
Dr. Bagby attended Aurora High School graduating in 1935, University of Arkansas graduating in 1953 with a bachelors degree and a Masters degree in 1956, and finally earned his PhD from Emory University in 1962.
Dr. Bagby was a United States Army Air Corps veteran serving during World War II from 1941-1945. He then served in the commissioned corps of the United States Public Health Service from 1946-1969. From 1956-1969 he was a scientist and administrator at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, serving as Deputy Director from 1964-69. He directed the CDC program that eradicated malaria in the United States and initiated smallpox eradication programs in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
For 30 years he served as a consultant to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, designing biological containment systems for trips to and from the moon and Mars exploration. Dr. Bagby also served as Chairman and advisor for Energy-Related Epidemiologic Research, chairing a team of scientists who traveled to Chernobyl to study biological effects.
In 1969 Dr. Bagby joined the microbiology department of Colorado State Univeristy as director of the Institute of Rural and Environmental Health, newly established by the Kellogg Foundation. He served as chair of the microbiology department until 1974.
Dr. Bagby served as director of the Missouri Department of Health for 7 years before retiring March 31, 1993.
Dr. Bagby was a member of the American Public Health Association, Armed Forces Epidemiologic Board which he chaired, Missouri Public Health Association, National Environmental Health Association, Sigma XI, and the Elks Club.
Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Turner Whitson of Columbia, SC; son and daughter-in-law, John and Donna Bagby, Edmonds, WA; son Tom Bagby, Columbia, SC. He had six grandchildren, Heather Whitson, Durham, NC; Caitlin Bagby, New York, NY; Jillian Bagby, Columbia, SC; Colin Bagby, Atlanta, GA; Troy Greenfield, Bainbridge Island, WA; and Brad Greenfield, Mukilteo, WA. He also had six great-grandchildren; two siblings, a sister, Betty Ash, Newton, KS; and brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Shirley Bagby, Lake Ozark, Mo.
A memorial service with military honors will be 2 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2012, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home.
Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Friday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home.
Memorials may be sent to the John Bagby Memorial Scholarship at Colorado State University.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
He was born on March 3, 1919, in Aurora, Mo., the son of the late John Roscoe Bagby, Sr., and Grace Elizabeth Seburn Bagby.
He was united in marriage on October 17, 1943, in Aurora, Mo., to Billie Hudson who preceded him in death on May 25, 2009.
Dr. Bagby attended Aurora High School graduating in 1935, University of Arkansas graduating in 1953 with a bachelors degree and a Masters degree in 1956, and finally earned his PhD from Emory University in 1962.
Dr. Bagby was a United States Army Air Corps veteran serving during World War II from 1941-1945. He then served in the commissioned corps of the United States Public Health Service from 1946-1969. From 1956-1969 he was a scientist and administrator at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, serving as Deputy Director from 1964-69. He directed the CDC program that eradicated malaria in the United States and initiated smallpox eradication programs in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
For 30 years he served as a consultant to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, designing biological containment systems for trips to and from the moon and Mars exploration. Dr. Bagby also served as Chairman and advisor for Energy-Related Epidemiologic Research, chairing a team of scientists who traveled to Chernobyl to study biological effects.
In 1969 Dr. Bagby joined the microbiology department of Colorado State Univeristy as director of the Institute of Rural and Environmental Health, newly established by the Kellogg Foundation. He served as chair of the microbiology department until 1974.
Dr. Bagby served as director of the Missouri Department of Health for 7 years before retiring March 31, 1993.
Dr. Bagby was a member of the American Public Health Association, Armed Forces Epidemiologic Board which he chaired, Missouri Public Health Association, National Environmental Health Association, Sigma XI, and the Elks Club.
Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Turner Whitson of Columbia, SC; son and daughter-in-law, John and Donna Bagby, Edmonds, WA; son Tom Bagby, Columbia, SC. He had six grandchildren, Heather Whitson, Durham, NC; Caitlin Bagby, New York, NY; Jillian Bagby, Columbia, SC; Colin Bagby, Atlanta, GA; Troy Greenfield, Bainbridge Island, WA; and Brad Greenfield, Mukilteo, WA. He also had six great-grandchildren; two siblings, a sister, Betty Ash, Newton, KS; and brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Shirley Bagby, Lake Ozark, Mo.
A memorial service with military honors will be 2 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2012, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home.
Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Friday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home.
Memorials may be sent to the John Bagby Memorial Scholarship at Colorado State University.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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We were blessed to have John in our lives for so many years, both professionally and personally. In fact, I credit him for bringing Ross and me together, because it was John who lured Ross away from the mountains of CO to work for him at the Missouri Department of Health where I already worked. I remember the day John introduced us; the rest is history.:) Ross knew him first as a teacher and mentor at CSU; we then both worked with and for him. But it’s our enduring friendship that we treasure most. We will miss his welcoming smile and hugs, his amazing and never-ending stories, his gentle thoughtfulness. We will miss our phone chats and visits, his “hi kids”. And we will always be inspired by his tenacity and outlook on life. I remember telling Caroline about John’s response to me when we visited with him in the hospital last year just before the move to South Carolina. I commented that it didn’t seem like he was having much fun these days (in and out of the hospital fighting pneumonia). Without skipping a beat, he told me he’s had fun for 93 years, so he had no complaints, and no regrets. He was an amazing man on so many levels. The world is a better place because of John, and our lives are richer because of his friendship and love. To his family, please accept our condolences and know that we share your loss. Along with your own memories, I hope the stories people share with you during this time bring you comfort. With our love, Carol and Ross Brownson
Dr. Bagby was a good friend, boss and public health worker. I was lucky to know and work with him. He will be missed. God Bless you.
My condolences and may God grant you comfort.I had worked at the state health deparment when Dr Bagby was the director of the environmental section, then director of the department. He not only provided much needed professionalism, experience and insight, but also empathy, compassion and humanity.He is missed.
Caroline, John, Tom & families: Our deepest sympathies to you in the loss of your father and grandfather. He was a wonderful man and we will surely miss him. He accomplished so much during his lifetime. Sincerely, John & Elaine
Thoughts of sympathy and sadness to the entire Bagby family. I will truly miss Dr. Bagby. I had the joy of working with him for several years at the MO Dept of Health, and he truly inspired me. Not only was he a great mentor and leader, but he demonstrated the true meaning of engaging in your career and belief in the work you perform. I learned so much from him and will remember him fondly. His legacy will continue…. Sue