Ownbey, Gerald B., 1916-

Gerald Bruce Ownbey was born on October 10, 1916 in Kirksville, Missouri. He earned his B.A. in 1939 and M.A. in 1940 from the University of Wyoming; his Ph.D. was awarded in 1947 from Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri). Dr. Ownbey joined the faculty in the University of Minnesota's department of botany in 1947; he was promoted to full professor in 1956 and served as chair of the department (1960-1962). In 1947 he was named as curator of the herbarium and he held this position until he retired in 1986. Dr. Ownbey is considered an expert on Minnesota flora and plant taxonomy.