L. Dean Bark, 84, died Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at Meadowlark Retirement Community in Manhattan.

Professor Bark was born March 18, 1926, at Chanute to Reuben Oscar and Elsie Bark. He graduated from Chanute High School and attended Neosho County Community College and Kansas University. He earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Chicago in 1948 and 1950, respectively.

He was an Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded near Strasbourg, France.

Professor Bark earned his doctorate from Rutgers University in 1954 and then worked as a bioclimatologist at the U.S. Weather Bureau in Washington, D.C., in 1955.

He married Donna on Aug. 22, 1964, at Manhattan.

He was a 43-year member of the faculty of the Department of Physics of Kansas State University where he was professor of climatology from 1967 until his retirement in 1999. He was named professor emeritus at his retirement.

He joined the KSU staff as an associate professor of physics in 1967 and was the acting state climatologist for Kansas from 1973-1990.

Following his retirement, Professor Bark contributed many hours of community service in assisting senior citizens in the preparation of their IRS tax returns and at the Manhattan Public Library in repairing audio tape players.

He was a member of numerous honorary and professional societies and had many publications to his credit.

Survivors include three sons, Steven Bark, Lenexa, Stanley Bark, Crans-pres-Celigny, Switzerland, and Stuart Bark, Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Chet; and a grandson, Andrew Worthington Bark.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. today at the St. Paul Episcopal Church at 601 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, with the Rev. Thomas D. Miles officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan.

Contributions may be made to Meadowlark Hills Good Samaritan Fund in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.