Jerry J. Kollros 1917-2007

KOLLROS, HRUBY

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 6/12/2007 at 10:17:58

Jerry J. Kollros died on June 8, 2007 at the Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City at the age of 89. A memorial service will be held this Saturday, June 16, at 2:00 p.m. at the Oaknoll Retirement Residence.

Jerry was born in Vienna, Austria on December 29, 1917, to Jakub Kollross and Theresa Hruby. After the First World War his family moved back to their family home in Pilsen, in what is now the Czech Republic. Following the death of his father in the 1919 flu pandemic, he and his mother immigrated to Dolton, Illinois near Chicago, to live with extended family. As he was growing up he worked in the family’s theater business.

Jerry excelled in school, and in 1938 earned a bachelors degree from the University of Chicago, and then a Ph. D. from the same university in 1942. Following the completion of his Ph.D. he joined the faculty at the University of Chicago, teaching biology, and doing medical research related to the war effort. He married Catharine Lutherman in 1944.

They moved to Iowa City in 1946 when he joined the faculty at what is now the University of Iowa. He achieved the rank of professor in 1957, and served as chairman of the Zoology Department from 1955 until 1977. During his tenure as chairman, the Zoology Department underwent a major expansion in both the number of faculty and physical space. The Department increased in its stature and acquired a national reputation. He was active in many University and government committees, and was active in many professional societies. He frequently served in leadership roles.

Professor Kollros was a dedicated teacher, and was the advisor for 25 Ph.D. candidates. He had many research interests, mostly dealing in developmental biology. He is considered to be a pioneer in the field of understanding the role of nerve cell death during development, aging, and in response to environmental factors and injury. He continued to be active in research and University activities as an Emeritus Professor until recently. In 2000 the auditorium in the new Biology Building East was named in his honor.

When he was not at work, he was an avid reader of fiction, biography and history. With friends he was an ardent competitor in games of ping pong and pool. He enjoyed traveling and he enjoyed being with and was dedicated to his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Catharine, and is survived by his sons, James, of Chicago, Illlinois; and Peter, of Rydal, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Barbara and two grandchildren, Daniel and Catharine, all of Rydal, Pennsylvania.