Former USU Professor Cyrus McKell Dies May 13

The Utah State University community mourns the passing of former USU professor and range plant physiologist Cyrus McKell, who died May 13, 2009, at age 83 in Holladay, Utah.

McKell joined USU in 1969 as chair of the then-named Department of Range Management in the College of Natural Resources. From 1971-75, he served as director of the Environment and Man Program, a grant program at USU funded by the Ford Foundation. He subsequently served as director of USU’s Institute for Land Rehabilitation from 1976-81.

 

After pursuing a career in the private sector, McKell joined the faculty of Weber State University, where he served as dean of the College of Science. During his academic career, McKell served as a member or chair of various scientific consulting groups and provided consulting expertise on agricultural field work and environmental development projects in more than 30 countries.

 

McKell is survived by his wife, Betty Marie McKell, three children, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  

 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, with a viewing period from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Holladay North LDS Stake Center, 4395 S. Albright Drive (2145 East). Interment and dedication of the grave will be at the Spanish Fork Cemetery at 2 p.m. following the service.