Bryon Douglas Middlekauff

HEBRON -- Bryon Douglas Middlekauff, 78, of Hebron, NH, passed away on September 3, 2025, after a brief illness. Bryon is survived by his wife, Julie; daughters, Lari (Pat) Hayhoe and Amy (Dan) Jones; grandchildren, Nick (Chelsea), Beau and Olivia Hayhoe, Billy (Olivia) and Tyler Townes, Hayden Jones, and Chelsea Roberts; and great-grandchildren, Charlie, George, Margaret and Penny Hayhoe, Phoebe Townes, and Fiona and Josie Roberts. He is also survived by his sister, Kirklyn Kline; nephews, Kevin (Cindy) and Kirk Eikelberger; and grand-nephew, Riley Eikelberger. Bryon was born in Hagerstown, Maryland to Kirk and Catherine (Munson) Middlekauff. He attended South Hagerstown High School and was a member of the football team. He remained lifelong friends with classmates and fellow team members. Bryon earned his bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Maryland in 1969, his master’s degree in geography from Appalachian State University in 1975, and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1987. He was an ardent Spartan fan and a member of the card section at football games while in graduate school. He proudly wore his “I’m a Spartan Flasher” pin while watching both football and basketball games. Bryon began his teaching career at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and then taught at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. He was delighted to accept his next position at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire where he taught for 28 years. He said it was the best gig anyone could have. Bryon’s daughters and wife were his first priority. Nothing made him happier than being surrounded by family reminiscing about past holidays and vacations. Every year it was a Christmas tradition that he would read aloud “A Visit From St. Nick” to his grandchildren, and the one year he couldn’t be with them he made a recording so they could still hear his voice. He was deeply devoted to his friends, colleagues and students. He loved helping his students learn about the natural environment and felt that getting students out of the classroom was the best way for them to learn. He could be seen leading groups of students around campus teaching them how to identify trees. Bryon would take students on weeks-long field trips throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, France, and Africa to study the physical landscape and flora and fauna of the areas. Bryon enjoyed spending time with his colleagues and organized a daily lunch meeting where both important and mundane topics were discussed. The argument about the quantity of potatoes consumed by the Irish during the famine has yet to be resolved. Bryon was advisor to the PSU Geography Club and promoted the club’s annual BBQ at the Loon Lake house where students got to know each other and began forming life-long friendships. Some will remember fondly the windy day he and a colleague fell out of their canoe and into the lake. He enjoyed the BBQ soaking wet. Bryon published many professional papers and co-authored a book with his wife. After retirement he continued writing and published non-academic articles about his study area in Maryland. Bryon was heavily involved in the American Association of Geographers (AAG) and attended annual meeting where he presented papers and poster sessions. He was also a member of the New England St. Lawrence Valley Geographical Society (NESTVAL) and served as their Regional Councilor to the AAG for two terms. Bryon received the Distinguished Service Award in 2013 which included a citation for a Lifetime Contribution to NESTVAL and Geography, one of only three people to receive this distinction. In 1993, Bryon was instrumental in establishing a NESTVAL competition to create a team to send to the World Geography Bowl, held at the AAG’s annual meeting. Bryon mentored the PSU team members, preparing them for the competition. He guided them through the event and led field trips as they traveled throughout New England and around the country. For some students it was their first out-of-state travel. For all, it opened a door into the world of becoming a professional geographer. He encouraged many of his students to attend graduate school and accompanied some on visits to the schools. In his spare time, Bryon was an avid fly-fisherman. While fishing in North Carolina, reps from the state’s Department of Tourism caught sight of him and filmed him for a commercial. Bryon also enjoyed cross-country and downhill skiing. He spent hours working in the yard creating beautiful gardens. Bryon served as a volunteer at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, Florida and at Quincy Bog Natural Area in Rumney, New Hampshire. Bryon will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth, NH. Arrangements are under the care of Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium. To sign the online book of memories, please go to mayhewfuneralhomes.com.

Tributes

Bryon Douglas Middlekauff

January 17, 1947 - September 3, 2025