Dr. John B. Genys

On December 12, 2016, Prof. Emeritus Dr. John B. Genys passed away peacefully in Seabrook, Maryland. Dr. Genys was raised in rural Lithuania, but eventually rose from his life as a World War II refugee to become a successful academic and political activist.  John was raised on a farm in Pakruojis, Lithuania.  In 1944 he and his family escaped the Soviet occupation of his home country by fleeing to Germany.  He spent time there as a refugee and then completed a degree at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen once the war ended.  Soon after receiving his degree, John reached the shores of the United States where he improved his English while working at a Ford Motor Plant.  From 1955-57, he worked as a federal employee at a research facility in Wisconsin.  He then continued his education at Michigan State University, where he completed his Ph.D. degree in the Department of Forestry in 1960. He then worked and completed two post-graduate courses at the University of Wisconsin.  His education led him to be hired as a professor at the University of Maryland, where he worked for over 30 years at the College Park campus and at Frostburg State University.  Upon his retirement, he was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus because of his lifetime academic achievements.While a professor, Dr. Genys contributed greatly to the field of dendrogenetics and environmental protection.  Dr. Genys chaired a dendrogenetics conference in Washington DC in 1978, and acted as the Associate Editor of the academic journal entitled the “Chesapeake Science” journal.  From 1981, he was a committee member on the National Plant Genetic Resources Board for six years and received honorary rewards for his services.  John also served as a senate member of Maryland and Environmental Protection Agency from 1986 – 1989.  During his work years, Dr. Genys wrote more than 100 academic articles related to the work being done in genetics and the protection of natural resources.  He has donated one such collection, along with his academic book collection, to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Library.  He read many papers in international conferences in the US, Japan, Mexico, Germany, Yugoslavia, Canada and Lithuania. For many years he was the leader of several academic conferences related to the study of nature.  In recognition of his years of academic achievements, Dr. Genys became an American Fulbright Scholar in 1991 and traveled to the newly independent Lithuania.  While there, he taught genetics at the University of Vilnius and worked in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania as its Environmental Protection Director.  Several years later, he retired from his academic life.In addition to his academic work, Dr. Genys worked passionately as a political activist for the freedom of his home country of Lithuania from Soviet rule.  He was a member of several delegations at the European Protection and Cooperation Congress in Helsinki, Madrid, Geneva and Moscow.  He was also active in the Lithuanian American Community, Inc. in which he served many positions during the 1970s. In 1973, he was the chairman of the World Lithuanian Congress. From 1971-74, he was the chairman of the Republican Lithuanian Federation.  He also served as the chairman of the National Confederation of Ethnic Groups. In 1973 he received Man of the Year award by that group for his political achievements. The American Ethnic Group Confederation gave him the Dwight D. Eisenhower award for being a most distinguished ethnic in America.  From 1983, he was a member of Lithuanian Catholic Educational Academy member. From 1971-1996 he was the representative of the Lithuanian American Council in Washington, DC.  For many years, he represented Lithuanians in the Joint Baltic American Committee, a lobby group for Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians.  He spoke on Lithuania affairs many times in the White House, American Congress and to social groups throughout the United States.  He was also active in local politics, and served as a Republican National Committee delegate in 1976.  After Lithuania regained its freedom from Soviet rule, Dr. Genys returned to his home country on many visits with his family.  During one such trip, Dr. Genys helped organize donations for a statue to be built in his hometown of Pakruojis for His Eminence Bishop K. Paltarokas who was persecuted during the communist regime.  Upon his retirement, Dr. Genys continued to support Lithuania and political endeavors.  His passion and dedication to the causes and people he loved will be greatly missed.Dr. Genys is survived by his wife, Zenia and their two daughters, Ruta Bernhard and Victoria M. Genys, along with their families.   Family will receive friends Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy, Bowie, MD. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 11am at Ascension Catholic Church, 12700 Lanham Severn Road Bowie, MD.