Terrill Jewitt Long

Dr. Terrill (Terry) Jewett Long passed away on Tuesday November 12 at Mt Carmel East Hospital, with his family by his side at the age of 87. He was born March 19, 1932 in Newark Ohio to Frederick T Long and Nettie Frances Siegel. His mother died shortly after his birth and he was raised until 2 years old by his aunt Florence V Long until his father married Hilda Ashcraft and his sister Judith Long (Lyon) was born. Later in his childhood his stepmother died and he was raised by his aunts Florence V. Long and Latisha Martin. His father subsequently married Bertha Harrington. He always felt he had many mothers.

Terry graduated from Newark High School in 1950. During High School he ushered at the Midland Theater in Newark and had a large paper route. He joined the Marine Reserves while a Junior in High School. He was called into active duty because of the Korean Conflict while in college at Ohio University and was stationed on two aircraft carriers in the Caribbean where he worked as a radio repairman and advanced to the rank of Sergeant.

After returning to Newark he earned his BA in Biology at Ohio University and his Masters and PHD in Botany from Ohio State University in 1962. During this time he married Mamie Florence Hall also from Newark, Ohio. His first 2 children where born while he was in Graduate school in Columbus. While working on his PHD and afterwards, he did research at Oak Ridge National Labs working with radiating wheat to determine plant growth hormones. Some of the papers he wrote are still referenced today. His third child was born while in Oak ridge. He then taught at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He returned to Ohio and did research at Ohio State University.

Terry then started teaching Biology at Capital University for the next 31 years, retiring in 1998 as Professor Emeritus. His fourth and last child was born during this time. While at Capital University he taught a variety of courses including biology, botany, microbiology (at one point developing a wine and cheese fermentation microbiology course that became very popular on campus), biochemistry, and physics. He taught Science courses for the education department. He managed the Tropical Arboretum at Capital for many years.

During his time at Capital University, he was also a consultant for Fred’s Mushroom Company for several years. He did sabbaticals in Germany and with the Smithsonian in Washington DC. He was a science, pre-med, pre-nursing and pre-dental advisor for years. The successes of his former students remained a source of great pride to him all his life. While at Capital University he also graduated from Columbus State Community College with an Associate in Applied Science in Automotive Technology in 1989. He took a summer off to work in automobile repair at Ricart Ford dealership. He rebuilt a 1967 Camaro as well as working on other vintage cars.

After retirement he was able to follow many different interests. He continued to teach a field biology course at Capital University. He lead nature hikes for Blacklick State park and categorized botanical information as a volunteer. He enjoyed music of many different styles, having been a trumpet player in bands in the past. He grew a prairie garden on his property in the country. He hiked many of the Ohio Hikes especially around South East Ohio in all seasons. He became an avid nature photographer, and visited multiple historical sites, and traveled throughout the United States. He developed his continuing interest in trains, especially Steam Trains. He rode and photographed trains throughout the United States including two trips to Alaska. He traveled to Greece and Italy. He took history, science, religion, computer education and continued to educate himself in a variety of areas throughout his retirement.

During his life he was devoted husband and father. He had 4 children each of whom went into different areas of his interest. He was active in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with his children. He attended almost every musical concert, play, school event, parade they participated in. He was a church usher, treasurer and church board member during his life. At the time of his death he was a worshiping member of Outville Presbyterian Church.

He especially admired “The Beatitudes” and “Psalm 23” from the Bible. He admired the poetry and prose of Omar Khayyam. Each of his children has at least one copy of his book: The Rubaiyat .

He was a beloved member of his extended family and with his wife cared for and assisted many elderly members of both sides of his family in their later years that remained in Newark, Ohio. He will be deeply missed by his Wife Mamie Hall Long, and children, Carole Louise Long MD, Frederick David Long (Pat Long), Steven Terrill Long (Pamela Long), and Christine Ann Long Pond (Brian Pond), grandsons Joshua Terrill Long (Allison Long) and Ryan David Long, and by his devoted extended family.