It is with great sadness that we report the death of the first Director of the Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies, Dr. Herbert A.Wisbey, Jr., on Friday March 17, 2000.  Dr. Wisbey is survived by his wife of  54 years, Mrs. Adelia Wagner Wisbey; sons and daughters, Thomas B. and Karen Wisbey of Eliot, ME, Jane C.Wisbey of Horseheads, NY, Susan M. and Charles VanAlst of New Paltz, NY and Peter A. and Sarah Wisbey of Rochester NY, and grandchildren.
    Dr. Wisbey received his BS from the University of Rhode Island, his MA from the University of Arizona and the Ph.D. from Columbia University in NY in 1951.  He was a Professor of American History at Elmira College from 1965-1986, becoming Professor Emeritus upon his retirement in 1986. In 1983, he was appointed the first Director of the Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies.  Dr.Wisbey was a charter member of the Mark Twain Society and co-author with Robert D. Jerome of _Mark Twain in Elmira-. He was also the author of numerous articles on Mark Twain and his associations with Elmira, many published in the Mark Twain Society Bulletin. His other books include, -Publick and Universal Friend-, and -Soldiers without Swords-. Dr. Wisbey was active on the Board of the Chemung County Historical Society, the Elmira College Archivist and in 1975 founded the Elmira College Shaker Seminar. Friends are invited to call at the Barber Funeral Home 413 So. Main St Horseheads on Monday, March 20th from 2-4 and 7-9p.m. His funeral service will take place in the First Presbyterian Church, 2943 Westinghouse Rd.,Horseheads on Tuesday March 21, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. Internment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.  It is the family's request that those wishing may express their sympathy with memorials to the Center for MarkTwain Studies at Elmira College, One Park Place, Elmira, NY 14901.  The Wisbey home address is Fairway Lane, Horseheads, NY 14845.