Obituary of Jerry Allen Maynard

Dr. Jerry A. Maynard, 84, Professor Emeritus of Exercise Science-Integrative Physiology in the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, died Thursday, September 23, 2021, at The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County with his loving wife of 64 years, Marilyn, at his side. Jerry Allen Maynard was born April 22, 1937, in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, the son of Paul and Hazel Maynard. Following graduation from Maquoketa High School, he attended Iowa State Teachers College (predecessor to the University of Northern Iowa), graduating in 1958 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Physical Education and Biology. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Health Education from the University of Indiana in 1961, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Anatomy and Kinesiology from the University of Iowa in 1970. In the midst of all this, Jerry married his sweetheart, Marilyn Tritle, on June 15, 1957 in Marion, Iowa. Jerry served as professor in the Departments of Exercise Science, Orthopedic Surgery and Anatomy at the University of Iowa where he served on numerous department, collegiate, university and national committees including the American Association of Medical Colleges Educational Review Panel and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Continuing Education Faculty in Basic Sciences and Sports Medicine. Jerry received numerous university and national honors and awards including two College of Medicine Teacher of the Year awards for 1979-80 for Gross Anatomy and for 1981-82 for Histology, Who’s Who in the Midwest, and two National Aeronautics and Space Administration Awards (Biosatellite Mission Group Achievement Award and 2G-Comparison Award). Jerry authored or co-authored over fifty articles and over twenty-five abstracts, presented at local and national meetings and symposiums, and was selected as a consultant and participant in two US and USSR meetings (COSMOS/NASA Research Conference and Biomedical Life Science Symposium) Jerry was a member of the first class of inductees to the University of Northern Iowa School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services Hall of Excellence in September 2004. He served 22 years as Chair of the Exercise Science-Integrative Physiology Department at the University of Iowa before retiring in 2009 and served the profession of Health and Exercise Science with great distinction. Outside his academic and professional career, Jerry cherished his family and enjoyed life. He was an avid runner and golfer, and an excellent woodworker. He was an accomplished photographer and captured classic images in and around Iowa City. Jerry loved the world of teaching, not only in the formal setting but he would be more than willing to offer thoughts and knowledge to anyone interested. Surviving family includes his wife, Marilyn, two daughters and their husbands, Doreen and Doug Jasper, and Susan and Lee Shokes, grandchildren Kalyn Jasper, Chris Jasper (Jessica), Adam Shokes, Daniel Shokes, and Ryan Shokes, Jerry’s brother and his wife Jim and Mary Lou Maynard, sisters-in-law Frana Potter, Linda Viggers (Ken), Marvel Van Note (Dean) and several nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Charles and Helen Tritle, brothers-in-law Robert Hoskins and Stephen Potter, and nephews Robert Hoskins Jr. and Thomas Potter. Per Jerry’s wishes, no public service will be held. His family asks that if you wish to make a memorial contribution on Jerry’s behalf, consider Camp Courageous or The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County. The family extends its deep appreciation to the staff of The Bird House for their thoughtful care and support of Jerry and Marilyn. To share a memory, thought or condolence please visit the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com .