Obituaries

Dees, 85, BOG chairman

William Archie Dees Jr., the first elected chairman of the UNC Board of Governors, a community leader and lawyer, died Monday at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro at the age of 85 after contracting pneumonia.

Dees suffered from lung complications and used a portable oxygen tank for many years after a portion of his lungs was removed in order to prevent the spread of cancer.

Emily Powell, office manager at Dees' law firm, said he was wheeled out of the office in a chair after reluctantly canceling a meeting.

"Talk about dying with your boots on," she said. "He worked as long as he possibly could."

He graduated from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law in 1948 and joined his father's firm, where he practiced until his death.

He first served as an appointed member of the UNC-CH Board of Trustees until the formation of the BOG, on which he served as chairman from 1972 to 1976.

Dees will be remembered by family and friends for his personable nature and desire to help everyone.

"People knew he was an outstanding figure," Powell said. "But what you really noticed was that he was always available and approachable."

Dees is survived by his wife, Patricia Dees; his son, John Dees; and his daughters Mahala Myrick and Alice Crabtree.

Guess, 65, beloved professor

Harry Guess - a professor and mentor in the School of Public Health - died Jan. 1 after a struggle with lung cancer that he made public last April. He was 65.

"In academic settings, Harry Guess was a man for all seasons," said Barbara Rimer, dean of the school. "He was skilled at research as well as technology."

Guess was a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the school, as well as a professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine.

Two scholarships were created in his name - the Harry A. Guess-Merck Scholarship in Pharmacoepidemiology and the Harry Guess Scholarship in Epidemiology, the latter of which was formed by friends and family.

The grief of Guess' passing has been felt by students as well as faculty members. Liana Castel, a student and protegee of Guess, established a close relationship with him through work on her dissertation.

"He made me realize what mentorship truly is," she said. "He believed in me and always had time for me. - He inspired other people to carry on his good qualities and set an example not just for people in the field, but as a human being."

Guess was also well-respected by co-workers in his field of practice.

Yesulaitis, 89, band leader

Former UNC Director of Bands John Yesulaitis A-A-- known as Major Y by students and friends - died of cancer Dec. 7 at age 89.

Yesulaitis led the University's marching and concert bands for 25 years and brought musical support to a variety of athletics teams such as volleyball and soccer.

"Most places play only for basketball and football," said Jeffrey Fuchs, current director of University bands. "The way he set up the band program was a very positive thing."

Yesulaitis also made the University a personal place for his students and took an interest in their academics and families, Fuchs said.

"He bought books for them when their parents were going through a rough time," he said.

After his retirement in 1989, Yesulaitis was asked to come back for Homecoming games to lead the band for the national anthem and the alma mater.

He also initiated the ongoing tradition of asking alumni band members to play at the games.

In addition to his contribution to campus sports, Yesulaitis was active at UNC's Newman Catholic Student Center.

Known for his wild sense of humor and his generosity, Yesulaitis had a habit of slipping people a Werther's candy into their hands or pockets. At the funeral, held Dec. 10 at the Newman Center, a Werther's candy was placed on every seat, said Susan Beck, a family friend.

A Major Y Award, established in 1999, is presented annually.

Yesulaitis is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughters Mary Deutsch and Joan Yesulaitis; and his grandson, A.J. Deutsch.

Cleaveland, 90, professor

Frederic Cleaveland, a former political science professor at UNC and at Duke University, died Dec. 21 of kidney failure. He was 90.

Cleaveland served as chairman of UNC's Department of Political Science from 1958 to 1970 and as chairman of the faculty from 1967 to 1970.

Deil S. Wright, distinguished UNC political science professor emeritus, said Cleaveland helped establish a Masters in Public Administration program in 1966 and facilitated the hiring of new faculty - including Wright - in 1967.

"He served as a major impetus in helping the political science department take off to becoming a top-ranked department in the country," Wright said.

"He was a superb gentleman, a fine scholar and a wonderful teacher."

Daniel Pollitt, professor emeritus at UNC's School of Law and longtime friend of Cleaveland, said he "admired him tremendously."

Cleaveland, a graduate of Duke and Princeton universities, was reputed at UNC for his powers to smooth relations during late 1960s political tumult that included student protests.

During their retirement years, Frederic Cleaveland and his wife of 65 years, Barbara, split their time each year between Chapel Hill and Orcas Island in Puget Sound, Wash. Barbara Cleaveland died in August.

Frederic Cleaveland is survived by three children, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.