Obituaries

Byron R. Detwiler, 71

Byron R. Detwiler, 71, of Manheim, Professor Emeritus of French at Millersville University, died 19 September 2011 after an illness of one week.

He was born and raised in Lancaster, the son of Byron Y. Detwiler and Kathryn Murphy Detwiler. He attended McCaskey High School and Millersville University, and then pursued graduate study at the University of Pennsylvania and in France. He taught at Millersville in the Department of Foreign Languages for many years until his retirement.

He is survived by a brother, Jere K. Detwiler of Virginia, and a sister, Nancy R. Moore of Massachusetts.

Byron will be remembered by his many friends and former Millersville colleagues as a gracious host, a superb cook in both the Lancaster County and the French traditions, and a passionate gardener. He will be missed.

No services will be held locally.  To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661

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Please accept my sincere condolences. I was Byron’s colleague at the Foreign Language Department; he helped me at a crucial juncture in my career there, and I will always remember him with gratitude. May he rest in peace,
Celica Milovanovic

Please accept our sincere sympathy on the passing of Byron. He was our neighbor for thirty some years,always pleasant to talk to. We will miss seeing him working in his yard.
God Bless.   
Richard & Shirley Wagner

As a former student, I was challenged.
Alexis Francos

Byron was my teacher,adviser, mentor and friend.  Adieu cher ami. 
Mémère

Professor Detwiler was tough, but we sure did learn.  In French Phonetics and Linguistics classes, he lined up the small number of class members in the front row of chairs (nowhere to hide!) and had us drill those French sounds and words over, and over, and over again… but still, to this day, native speakers compliment me on my accent — and I’ve never been to France… that’s all because of him. Adieu, mon professeur.

I was so sad to hear of M. Detwiler’s passing.  I was his student in the 80’s.  Although he was "severe" to some, I always respected his seriousness and dedication, and learned so much from him.  I am a French teacher today, and try to convey his passion.  –Maureen Dent Klingaman

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