A funeral for Dexter Stearns Haven of Yorktown, was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, in Grafton Christian Church, Yorktown. He died Saturday, March 12, 2011.

Mr. Haven graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in pre-med in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, from 1942-1946, with the 9th Weather Squadron, and again entered the University of Rhode Island receiving a Master of Science degree in 1948. He was employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1948. In 1949, he joined the staff of the Virginia Fisheries Laboratory, a predecessor of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science of the College of William and Mary. He was a member of the faculty at the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary, and retired in 1984, as a Professor Emeritus from the College of William and Mary. In addition to his research and teaching duties before retiring, he served in several capacities at VIMS; as senior Marine Scientist and Head of the Department of Applied Biology; and Professor of Marine Science in the School of Marine Science.

During his career, he was a member of several professional organizations including the National Shellfisheries Association and the Atlantic Estuaries Association. While a member of the faculty at VIMS, he published many scientific books and papers on oysters and other shellfish. He received the David H. Wallace Memorial Award and the Honored Life Member Award from the National Shellfisheries Association.

Mr. Haven was a member of Grafton Christian Church, a charter member of the York Lions Club, a member of the York County Retired Teachers Association, and a charter member of the Watermen’s Museum. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. After retirement, he served as a consultant on the Jamestown Fort archaeological site.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Doris Mills Haven; his parents, Erastus Otis and Katharine Stearns Haven; brothers, Otis and Horace, and stepfather, Horace F. Fuller Sr.

Survivors include a daughter, Penny Haven Harris of San Simeon, Calif.

Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Grafton Christian Church, 109 Brick Church Road, Yorktown, Va. 23692, or to the Library Fund at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), P.O. Box 1346, Gloucester Point, Va. 23062.