Birth Gerald Stewart Birth, Research Scientist, died Tuesday, March 26, 2002. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ada Biester Birth and son Theodore Culver Birth. He is survived by sons Steven M. (& Nancy) and Harvey E. Birth, sister-in-law, Charlotte (& Clarence) Burton of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, grandchildren Nicholas, Gillian & Gregory and several nieces and nephews in IA, FL and PA. Gerry was born in Harveyville, PA to farming parents who encouraged him to further education. He worked the farm for five years after high school before receiving his BS in Agricultural Engineering from Penn State. He received a MS in AgE from Michigan State where he met and married Ada Entwistle Biester in 1955. Gerry had a long career with the USDA except for a five year break to get his PhD from Purdue University in 1971. He was a pioneer in the field of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, wrote many papers & articles, and received honors from his peers. He was a devoted husband and father taking great pride in the achievements of his sons. A memorial service will be held at Walker Methodist Health Center Chapel, 3737 Bryant Ave S. in Minneapolis on Friday, March 29, 2002 at 1 PM.