Kerwin E. "Kerv" Hyland, Jr.

Kerwin (Kerv) E. Hyland, Jr., 93, died peacefully, Friday, November 24th, 2017 at The Boulders at Riverwoods, Exeter, NH surrounded by loving family. He was the husband of the late Irène (Keymeulen) Hyland. Born 1924 in York, PA, to the late Kerwin & Mabel Hyland, Sr., Kerv served in World War II as medic and bugler in the US Army’s 126th Evacuation Hospital in Belgium. Once stateside, Kerv completed his undergraduate degree in Zoology-Entomology at Penn State (’47) and married Doris M. Potts. He earned a Masters in Parasitology from Tulane (’49) and his PhD in Zoology from Duke (’53). As scientist and Professor of Zoology and Parasitology at the University of Rhode Island (1953-1999), Dr. Hyland’s fascination with insects and the spread of disease to humans led him to research the vector of Lyme Disease and establish the URI Tick Research Lab. A Fulbright Research Scholar in 1960-61, Dr. Hyland began his research collaboration with Dr. Alec Fain at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium where Kerv spent all four of his sabbatical leaves from URI. His love of Belgium & France led him to host numerous URI foreign exchange students and graduate students. During summers, he rebuilt an ancient home in Provence, France, where he vacationed in July of this year. Dr. Hyland retired as Professor Emeritus after 46 years at URI. He also served as RI State Bee Inspector for 8 years. Kerv and his Belgian wife, Irène, moved to Exeter, NH in 2005. Kerv leaves 4 children and their spouses (John, Boulder, CO; Jeanne, Santa Fe, NM; Janet, Ft Myers, FL; Jeffrey, Stratham, NH) and 3 stepdaughters (Michèle, France; Martine, Belgium, Marianne, Apopka, FL) and their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Kerv’s second wife, Jean Scammon Hyland, Exeter, NH also survives him. He is dearly remembered by many students and friends, whose lives he touched. A Graveside Ceremony with full military honors presented by York County Veteran’s Honor Guard will be held Saturday, December 2, 10AM at Mt. Rose Cemetery. Friends and family will meet at the Mt. Rose Ave. entrance of the cemetery at 9:45 am Saturday. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to TheHoneyBeeConservancy.org or SaveOurMonarchs.org.