Melvin J. Betterley 1910-2004

ABEL, BETTERLEY

Posted By: michael (email)
Date: 6/23/2004 at 15:46:50

Melvin L. Betterley, 94, died Sunday, June 20, 2004 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a brief illness.

Graveside services will be held 2:00 PM Friday, June 25, 2004 at Riverview Cemetery in Wabasha, MN. Memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa Foundation, c/o Carol Jefferson, Levitt Center, PO Box 4550 Iowa City, Iowa 52244-4550.

Melvin was born June 13, 1910 in Rock Elm, Wisconsin, the son of Joseph W. and Clara (Abel) Betterley. He graduated from Elmwood High School in Elmwood, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1932 and received his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1939. He married Alice Ostrom in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 29, 1934.

He taught high school at Wasson, Minnesota; Morevia, Iowa; Harmony, Minnesota; and Duluth, Minnesota from 1933 to 1943. During World War II, he was a professor of engineering graphics in the Navy V12 program at Minot College, Minot, North Dakota. He also taught at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago prior to coming to Iowa in 1952. He was professor of engineering graphics in the University Of Iowa College Of Engineering for twenty six years, retiring in 1978.
His publications include two text books, “Sheet Metal Drafting,” published by McGraw Hill, and “Basic Graphics for Engineers,” used in his classes at Iowa.

In addition to his teaching, Professor Emeritus Betterley served as head of the department of Engineering Graphics, Assistant Dean of Engineering 1965 to 1973, and director of Engineering Publications 1973 until retirement.

Survivors include his wife Alice of Walden Place and one son Richard Betterley of Boynton Beach, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his son Joseph Melvin Betterley.