Allen G. "Jerry" Marr, professor emeritus of bacteriology at the University of California, Davis, who served as dean of graduate studies and research at the university for 20 years, died Jan. 7 of cancer. He was 78.

"Jerry oversaw with distinction two major campus offices, Graduate Studies and Research, for two decades," said Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef. "He was, as well, the campus's first guiding light in the areas of computing and information technology, long before they became such an important part of our day-to-day operations."

"Jerry was equally memorable for his personal characteristics," Vanderhoef recalled. "For example, he always rode his bike to campus, no matter the weather, was an inveterate daily jogger before jogging was stylish, and loved classical music because he equated a well-performed concert with well-performed teaching."

"This is a sad loss for the UC Davis community," added Jeffrey Gibeling, current dean of graduate studies. "Dr. Marr served the campus with distinction and left a lasting impact on all who were fortunate to work with him – graduate students and colleagues alike. He will be greatly missed."

Marr was born in Tulsa, Okla., in 1929. When he was eight, the family moved to the country and Marr grew up on a small farm on the Osage Indian Reservation, attending a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade.

But as a result of the New Deal's Works Projects Administration, a mobile lending library visited the family farm every fortnight, allowing Marr to read anything he wanted.

"I had the world's library at my fingertips," he recalled in a 1989 interview.

Marr studied bacteriology at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, earning a bachelor's degree in 1948 and a master's degree in 1949. He then went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was awarded his doctorate in 1952. He joined the faculty at UC Davis as an instructor in bacteriology immediately after that.

In July 1969, Marr, by then a full professor and chair of the Department of Bacteriology, was appointed as dean of the Division of Graduate Studies, succeeding Harold Reiber. With Marr's appointment, the position took on new responsibilities for developing research programs on campus and administering grants and contracts. He stepped down as dean at the end of June 1989.

"He was the architect of graduate education on this campus," said Douglas Minnis, who served as associate dean of graduate studies under Marr and was a long-time friend.

Upon Marr's retirement, the Office of Graduate Studies established the Allen G. Marr Prize, which is awarded annually to a graduate student for dissertation excellence.

Marr began teaching as an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma and regularly taught undergraduate classes in biology during his tenure as dean. His research program focused on growth and physiology of bacteria.

Marr was a member of the American Society for Microbiology and scientific honor societies Sigma Xi, Phi Sigma and Phi Beta Kappa. He was also a member of the American Civil Liberties Union and was active in the Yolo County Democratic Party.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, six children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

At Marr's request, no services will be held.