Memorial services for Dr. Alfred Merrill Blackmer, 62, of Jefferson will be 4:30pm Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at First United Methodist Church, 307 South Wilson Street, Jefferson.  Following the memorial service, the family will visit with friends in the church fellowship hall. 

Alfred Merrill Blackmer was the second son of Randolph Clayton Blackmer and Edna Merrill Chaffee Blackmer.  He was born December 11, 1943 in Fall River, Massachusetts and lived in Little Compton, Rhode Island until 1958 when he moved to Fabyan, Connecticut.  There, his family operated a dairy farm with registered Guernseys.  He graduated from high school in 1962 then attended Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, receiving an Associate degree in Animal Sciences in 1964.

Fred married Dianne Rae Smith on November 27, 1965.  He enlisted in the United States Army in February of 1966.  He graduated at the top of his class at food inspection school and was sent to the Presidio of San Francisco as a food inspector in the US Army Veterinary Medical Service.

Fred returned to Massachusetts in January, 1969.  At the University of Massachusetts, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science in 1971 and Master of Science degree in plant and Soil Science in 1973.

Fred moved to Ames, Iowa in 1973 to enroll in the PhD program at Iowa State University.  There, he received a PhD in Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry in 1977.  He began his career in soils research at Iowa State University and taught graduate courses in Soil-Plant Relationships and Advanced Soil Fertility.  He maintained an active field research program with primary focus on nitrogen management.  He advised 17 Masters and 19 PhD students from eight countries as well as numerous international visiting scientists.  His lifetime goal was to help farmers and he worked directly with hundreds of farmers throughout Iowa.  He has more than 350 publications and has received 14 professional awards.  He also traveled widely, presenting at many international universities and conferences.

Dr. Blackmer died at his home on January 28, 2006.  He is survived by his wife, Dianne of Jefferson; son Tracy and his wife Doreen of Madrid, Iowa; daughter Julie of Jefferson, and daughter Darcy Gill and her husband Bryan of Kirkwood, Missouri; and four grandchildren: Jessica and Cheryl Blackmer of Madrid, Iowa, and Robyn and David Gill of Kirkwood, Missouri.  Also surviving are his parents, Randolph and Edna Blackmer of Orange Park, Florida; two brothers: Randolph “Blackie” Blackmer of North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut and Paul Blackmer of Bakersfield, California; and one sister: Rachel Parmentier of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that tributes be sent to the Fred Blackmer Agriculture Scholarship, c/o JSCS Foundation, Home State Bank, 115 State St., Jefferson, IA  50129.

Dr. Blackmer's family invites you to view this site.  http://blackmer.no-ip.org