MERCER, David R. "Randy" 1954-2016

MERCER, THOMPSON, CASTILLO

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 4/23/2017 at 15:58:30

David "Randy" Mercer

September 17, 1954 - July 29, 2016

Cedar Falls, Iowa - Dr. David "Randy" R. Mercer, age 61, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, died Friday, July 29, 2016 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

He was born September 17, 1954 in Coatesville, PA, the son of Chester L. and Marian (Thompson) Mercer. On March 29, 1997, he married Elizabeth Castillo in Iquitos, Peru; they later divorced. He earned his BS in Biology and Chemistry from Clarion State College in Clarion, PA, an MS in Biology from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of California at Berkeley.

Most recently Randy taught at Hawkeye Community College as an Instructor of biology, and worked during the summers on research in Entomology at the University of Iowa. He had a long career as a research Entomologist with a specialization in mosquitos.

Randy was a gifted educator who enlivened lectures with personal experiences and colorful examples. While teaching at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, he enjoyed helping students see the ecological processes around them, especially drawing their attention to the smaller organisms. His trademark academic apparel consisted of tropical printed short-sleeve shirts, acquired during his travels to South America and Polynesia while studying mosquito-borne illnesses. Randy involved students in mosquito studies in Iowa and other parts of the U.S. He was a well-respected and much liked instructor at Hawkeye Community College, where he was teaching when diagnosed with cancer.

As an entomologist, Randy was interested in the interaction of insect parasites with their host. He was particularly interested in understanding the interaction of mosquito species with the bacterium, Wolbachia, in a number of locations around the U.S. In addition, he had a keen interest in the ability of this bacterium to limit mosquito populations and had studied whether this could serve as a practical approach for controlling mosquito numbers.

Randy felt himself fortunate to have traveled much of the planet particularly in Kenya as a volunteer with the Peace Corps as well as Peru and Tahiti in pursuit of research related opportunities. He travelled extensively throughout the United States for both pleasure and research.

Randy is survived by his children, Timothy and Rosemarie Mercer of Pleasant Grove, UT; a stepson, Shesthers Panduro of Cedar Falls; a sister, Janis Dagger and husband, Dr. Raymond Dagger of Mt. Airy, MD; and a brother, James "Jim" Mercer and wife, Linda S. Mercer of Simpsonville, SC. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Source: Richardson Funeral Service website