1920-2019
Born on March 17, 1920 in Vincennes, Indiana, Betty was the daughter of Walter and Bernice (Harrison) Baker. Betty earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois-Champaign and did post-graduate work in journalism at Iowa State University. Betty was united in marriage to Paul Dahm, Professor of Entomology at Iowa State University on June 6, 1941 at the Heyworth Presbyterian Church in Heyworth, Illinois. In addition to being a homemaker she worked for the Iowa State University press as the head proof reader for many years. While in college, Betty was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority, and had remained active with the ISU Chapter for many years. She was an avid tennis player, and competed in the senior Olympics. Betty enjoyed poetry and was a member of the Iowa Poetry Association. She had some of her poems published in the yearly publication “Lyrical Iowa”.
Betty’s husband, Paul A. Dahm was a faculty member of Entomology at Iowa State University for 34 years (1953 to 1987) in Insecticide Toxicology. He was conferred the Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture in 1969, and served as Chairman of the Department of Entomology from 1975 to 1982. Dahm taught courses in Insecticide Toxiciology, Insect Physiology, and Medical and Veterinary Entomology. The Paul A. Dahm Memorial Lecture in Entomology is held annually, usually in April. Invited speakers address a range of subjects relating to Insect Toxicology.