Norbert V. DeByle

Norbert V. DeByle was born on 1 May 1931 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He passed away on August 15, 2025, in Logan, Utah. He was the only child of Felix and Josephine (Donckers) DeByle. He lived his youth on a farm near Green Bay with his parents and attended grade school in one-room and two-room elementary schools. Secondary school was at Pulaski High School in Pulaski, Wisconsin. On the family farm, he helped with chores, including growing small cucumbers for the nearby pickle-making factory to have some spending money.

After high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison receiving a Bachelors degree in forestry and a military commission as a Second Lt. in the Army/Military Police. At the end of his senior year, he was part of a group of 4-H club members on a weekend work project. Here, he met a young lady at the end of her freshman year. After a year, Mary (Sears) and Norb married on 21 September 1954 at Mazomanie, Wisconsin.

His first military assignment was Ft. Riley, Kansas. The newlyweds made their first home for six months in Manhattan, KS. Norb got orders to report for duty to Ansbach, Germany. Mary joined him for a year in Bavaria.

They returned to UW-Madison, where Norb received his Master's degree in Soils. It was then decided to head for the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor for a PhD in Forestry/Soils. Four years later, in 1961, the car and U-haul trailer were packed, and they headed west to Reno, Nevada. Norb had been hired by the U.S. Forest Service Research Branch. Three years later, in 1964, with two children, David and Jane, the family moved to Logan, Utah where Norb had been transferred to the USDA Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Logan, Utah - known as "The Lab.”

He did most of his research in Utah and northern Montana. As this research was done in the summer months, the family joined Norb, living in a camp trailer. The children had weeks of woods, streams, swimming, fishing and catching garter snakes!

Norb's expertise was quaking aspen. He was the senior author of a 283-page publication, "Aspen: Ecology and Management in the Western United States." He has many publications in the system, some featuring how fire affects not only trees and shrubs, but also animals large and small. In 1985, Norb received a USDA Certificate of Merit for his work on the "Aspen Book". Norb retired in 1987 with 28 years of federal service. He then taught as an Adjunct Professor for the Forestry Department, College of Natural Resources at Utah State University.

After retirement Norb and Mary enjoyed seeing all they could of Europe and other countries with mostly tours on river boats. They spent 3 months each year for 26 years being snowbirds in Tucson AZ. With their 5th wheel trailer, they enjoyed many areas of the USA, from Alaska to Big Bend N.P. TX, to all the National Parks in Utah, and many weekends at Bear Lake, UT, with a group of local RV friends.

He was an active member of the Logan Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Finance Committee for many years and served on the Board of Elders.

He was a member of the original Hospice of Cache Valley and served on the original board of The Stokes Nature Center. He was a member of The Old Main Society and Emeriti of Utah State University. For many years, he was the parent advisor to Troop 1 of the Boy Scouts of America which is the oldest troop west of the Mississippi River.

Norb is preceded in death by his parents Felix and Josie: Mary's parents; and brother-in-law David Sears. He is survived by his wife, Mary of 70 years; children David (Joplin MO) and Jane (Logan UT); grandchildren Logan and Kyra; Sister-in-law Gloria Sears; and many nieces and nephews.

Norb's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church of Logan located at 178 W Center Street, Logan, Utah at 12:00 Noon. A reception and visiting will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Stokes Nature Center, CAPSA, Logan Presbyterian Church, or a cause of your choice.

The family expresses many thanks to the entire staff of the memory care unit at Maple Springs for their kindness, close attention, and care.