Carelyn Yerkes Reeburgh

Carelyn Yerkes Reeburgh 1940 - 2017 Carelyn Elizabeth Yerkes Reeburgh passed peacefully on October 20, 2017 in Vancouver, WA with her family by her side. Carelyn was born in Allentown, PA on March 12, 1940, and was the daughter of Louis Emmons and Harriet (Dein) Yerkes. Carelyn had a lifelong love of learning, science, and the outdoors. Her high school years were spent at Emma Willard School in Troy, NY where she graduated in 1957, after writing her senior thesis The Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation. She went on to study at Northwestern University, in Evanston, IL where she had broad interests studying biology, astronomy and geology. Carelyn earned her BS (biology) in 1961, and was a member of the Beta Beta Beta Honorary Society, and Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. After College, she attended graduate school at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. There she studied in the Marine Science Center and Department of Geology. Carelyn spent the summers of 1962 and 1963 at the Bermuda Biological Station, studying the effects of sediment ingesting organisms on carbonate sediments. While studying in Bermuda the first summer, Carelyn met William Scott Reeburgh (Bill), from Port Arthur, TX. They were married June 22, 1963, and lived in Baltimore, MD where she worked at Johns Hopkins University, conducting laboratory and literature research while Bill finished his graduate studies there. In July 1968 Carelyn moved to Fairbanks, AK where her husband was a member of the Marine Science Faculty at the University of Alaska. It was in Alaska where her vision she wrote about at age 13 of being surrounded by woods, with no houses, towns, or main roads for miles came true. There, she raised and educated their three children and was actively involved in their activities as well as the community. Carelyn was a member of the University Womens Association, served as an Election Judge and Precinct Chair for the Chena Precinct, was a member of the Question Ballot Board for the State of Alaska, was on the Board of Directors for Chena-Goldstream Fire and Rescue, and was a Girl Scout Leader. Carelyn moved to Irvine, CA in 1999, and settled closer to family in Vancouver, WA in 2009. Anyone who knew Carelyn knew that her family was everything to her. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother and cherished any time her family could be together. Carelyn was an amazing cook, and enjoyed entertaining numerous visiting scientists and community visitors in Fairbanks. In addition, Carelyn enjoyed traveling, exploring Europe, gardening in Alaska, wildflowers, wild berry picking, and quilting. Her fondest childhood memories were at her family cabin in Honesdale, PA where she loved being outside. She was always at peace in nature, with the woods around her. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Dr. William S. Reeburgh, their three children, Scott Reeburgh (Lori) of Vancouver, WA, Nancy Bacon (Scott), of Boring, OR, and Peter Reeburgh (Cheri) of Golden, CO, her six grandchildren (Jack Reeburgh, Claire Reeburgh, Jonathan Bacon, Nicholas Bacon, Bryce Reeburgh, and Torrey Reeburgh), and her two sisters, Barbara Sturm of Gif sur Yvette, France, and Peggy Wetzel of Casper, WY. A celebration of Carelyns life will be held at 2:30pm on November 15th, at East Woods Presbyterian Church, 16210 NE 20th Street, Vancouver, WA.

Carelyn Yerkes Reeburgh

March 12, 1940 - October 20, 2017