MENGEBIER, William BRIDGEWATER, VA. – The Rev. Dr. William L. Mengebier, 84, died at 6:10 Tuesday evening, March 21, 2006, at the home of his daughter in Bridgewater. Dr. Mengebier was born December 2, 1921, in New York City and was the son of the late William E. and Frieda Becker Mengebier. He received his B.S. from The Citadel, an M.A. from Oberlin College and his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee. During World War II, Dr. Mengebier served with the 104th Infantry Division in Europe and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star with cluster. He was retired from the Medical Service Corps of the United States Naval Reserve as a LCDR. In 1954, Dr. Mengebier was appointed Head of the Department of Biology at James Madison University and taught there until 1968 when he moved to Bridgewater College where he was Departmental Chairman until 1982. He retired from teaching in 1987. The Association of Southeastern Biologists awarded him its Meritorious Teaching Award in 1968 and he was elected a Fellow of the Virginia Academy of Science in 1978. Bridgewater College presented to him its Distinguished Service Award in 1990. In 1967, Dr. Mengebier was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church and in 1968 was ordained to the priesthood. He served as the Examining Chaplain of the Diocese of Virginia and was appointed to two terms on the Diocesan Commission of Ministry. From 1990 to 1995 he served as staff chaplain to the Rockingham Memorial Hospital Hospice. In 1945 Dr. Mengebier married the former Clelia Matthew of Charleston, SC, who pre-deceased him in 2001. He is survived by three daughters, Margaret Kyger and her husband, Bill of Brdigewater, Clelia LaMonica and husband, Jack of Marshall, VA and Nancy Mengebier and her partner, Susan, of Merced, CA; one brother, Robert A. Mengebier, M.D. of Green Valley, AZ; and four grandchildren, Clelia Rose and John LaMonica; Katie Kyger Frazier and Meg Kyger. His body will be cremated and services will be conducted at 3:30 Friday afternoon at Emmanual Episcopal Church with The Rev. Joy Rose officiating. Private interment will be in the Church Columbarium. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Church Parish Hall. Family and friends may also call at the home of his daughter, Maggie and Bill Kyger, Jr., 6710 Vista Heights Road, Brdigewater, from 7:00 until 8:30 Thursday evening. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Hospice of Rockingham Memorial Hospital, 235 Cantrell Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 660 South Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801. THE LINDSEY HARRISONBURG FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths. Published in the Charleston Post & Courier on 3/23/2006.
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