WADSWORTH, Ohio—John Byers, who spent more than four decades in the rubber industry, died July 24 at age 77.
After graduating from Iowa State University in 1964, he began his rubber industry career at Firestone. Byers also worked for Degussa, PPG Industries Inc., Wyrough & Loser and Ashland Chemical. He also later started a consulting firm and served as technical editor for Rubber World from 2003-09.
Byers was active in the ACS Rubber Division, wrote numerous industry papers and served as editor for rubber industry text books.
His Rubber Division work included teaching courses and writing papers for Rubber Chemistry & Technology. He was director of administration, served on the Legal Committee and contributed to the Education, Best Paper and Poster Session Committees. In 2004, Byers received the Rubber Division's Arnold Smith Special Service Award. He became an emeritus member of the association in 2009.
Byers is survived by his wife Jan; sons Mike and Mark; daughter Michelle; two sisters; and six grandchildren.
Donations may be made to the Wadsworth Firefighters Association, c/o Wadsworth Fire Dept., 153 N. Lyman St., Wadsworth, Ohio, 44281.