Dr. H. Branch Howe, Jr., (1924 – 1998) was an Atlanta native. His interest in birds developed early in life through the Boy Scouts and remained an avocation throughout his life. Following World War II service in Europe with the U. S. Army, Branch returned to Atlanta and continued his education at Emory University where he earned BS and MS degrees in biology. He received his PhD in genetics from the University of Wisconsin. He taught at several universities before coming to the University of Georgia where he taught in the microbiology department from 1957 to 1990. He also served as associate dean of the Graduate School from 1981 to 1990.

Branch joined GOS in 1942 and became active in the Society when he returned to Georgia in 1957. He served long and well on the Editorial Committee and as an academician he rendered valuable service to the organization. He was elected GOS president in 1989 and served two terms. During that time he instituted a Graduate Student Research Grant and served as chairman of the grant committee until his death in 1998. The grant program was named for Branch as a memorial.

--John Swiderski