George Dennis Byrne (2024)

BRICKER, BRINDLE, BYRNE, GLAZEWSKI, HENSLEY, MIXON, WANG

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/22/2024 at 08:31:31

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
October 22, 2024
Page 5

June 15, 1933 – September 29, 2024

George Dennis Byrne (91) died on September 29, 2024, after recently entering hospice care at Archwood Senior Living Center. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Normandie Joan (Glazewski), his younger brother Terence Edward, three daughters: Elizabeth Mary (David) Hensley, Margaret Ann (Hugh) Mixon, Karen Frances (Orson) Wang, and four sons: Stephen Alphonsus, Michael Robert (Sharon), David George, and Mark John, as well as 11 grandchildren and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis William and one grandson. Additionally, he is also survived by 6 stepchildren, 11 step grandchildren, and numerous step great-grandchildren.

Born June 15, 1933 to Dennis Alphonsus Byrne and Mary Maurine (Bricker) Byrne of Earlham, Iowa, he worked in is parents grocery, played varsity football and tennis as well as trombone in the band. After high school, he attended Creighton University, graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics. At Iowa State University, George earned a Master’s degree in mathematics (1961) and a Doctorate in applied mathematics (1963). At Iowa State he met his first wife Laura Joan Brindle, marrying in 1960.

George’s career as a mathematician, computer scientist and educator took many paths. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and worked on early computers at White Sands Proving Ground and Sandia National Labs. He taught mathematics at University of Pittsburgh, Southern Methodist University and the Illinois Institute of Technology. George conducted research at Exxon Research and Engineering Corporation and collaborated with other scientists at Argonne National Labs and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

It was at the Illinois Institute of Technology that George met Normandie. They were married in Lyons, WI in 2003, where they enjoyed life in retirement.

Over the years, George was active in Toastmasters, a senior class powerlifing champion, and a member of the Country Gentlemen Barbershop Chorus. He was an active and avid parishioner and scripture reader for many years at his parishes. Enjoying a long and active retirement, George and Normandie visited Cuba, Rio de Janeiro during Carnival, Russia, Germany, Austria, and France.

The visitation will be at Daniel’s Family Funeral Home (625 Browns Lake Dr., Burlington, WI0 on Friday, November 1, from 5:00 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic church (1540 Mill St., Lyons, Wi) on November 2, 2024 at 10:30 am, followed by burial St. Joseph Cemetery (Sheridan Springs Rd, Lyons, Wi). Luncheon at St. Joseph Parish Hall will begin at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, George requested contributions be made to the American Heart Association.