Dr. Roger Dale Wyatt

Dr. Roger D. Wyatt, 66, of Athens passed away at his home Wednesday, September 24, 2014. Born in Albemarle, NC, he was the loving son of the late Paul W. and Ethrillian T. Wyatt. He was a member of Prospect Baptist Church throughout his early life. He married Freida Bryson in 1968, and they lived in Raleigh during his education at NC State, where he received his doctorate in microbiology/toxicology in 1974. Roger joined ROTC as a master's student and continued as a reservist, obtaining the rank of Captain. They moved to Athens in 1974, where he began a distinguished career at The University of Georgia as Asst. Professor and retired as Full Professor in 2003 with 30 years of service, after which he consulted in the Entomology department. During his tenure at UGA, Roger was awarded the Gamma Sigma Delta-Young Scientist Award in 1987, the D.W. Brooks Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1999, and the Agricultural Alumni Foundation Outstanding Faculty Award in 2000. Nationally, he won the Purina Mills/Poultry Science Association Outstanding Teaching Award in 2000. Roger taught numerous courses, two of which he conceived. He directed a total of 17 student theses and dissertations as Major Professor. He also served on the Advisory Committee for numerous master's and doctorate students. Roger published more than 120 articles in refereed journals, the most noteworthy being the one he published with Dr. Henry Marks in the prestigious journal "Science."
Roger became a member of Mars Hill Baptist Church, Watkinsville, where he served many years as deacon, Sunday school teacher and Sunday School Director. He enjoyed photography and pigeon racing, among other hobbies. They have two children, Derek Bryson Wyatt (Heather), Nashville, TN and Tamara Lynn Beebe (Jay), Murfreesboro, TN; and one grandchild, Jacob Paul Jensen. Other survivors include an aunt, Mary Cater, Conover, NC and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by one uncle, Roy Wyatt, Richfield, NC, and two aunts, Mary Holt, Asheboro, NC and Lula Goodman, Richfield, NC.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate Roger's life on Monday, October 6 at Lord and Stephens Chapel, WEST with the Rev. Mike Sarratt officiating. Visitation will begin at 4:30, followed by the service at 6 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, St. Mary's Hospice (Athens, GA), Prospect Baptist Church (Albemarle, NC) or Mars Hill Baptist Church (Watkinsville, GA).