John Louis Loos

Alberding-Wilson Funeral Home are in charge of the local arrangments. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. at University Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for John Louis Loos, 93, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 25, 2011, at Cornerstone Village nursing home in Lafayette. Interment will be in Harvard Cemetery, Harvard, Nebraska, on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. Patti Snyder, senior pastor of University Presbyterian Church, will conduct the memorial service in Baton Rouge. Survivors include Johns wife of 59 years, Helen Nunn Loos; his son, Peter J. Loos and daughter-in-law Elizabeth S. Loos; daughter, Katherine M. Loos; and four grandchildren, Amanda L. Loos, George S. Loos, Mary Katherine Loos and Grace H. Loos. He was preceded in death by his parents, John George Loos and Katherine Pauley Loos; brother, George P. Loos; and his sister, Mary Louise Redard. John L. Loos was born on March 9, 1918, in Friend, Nebraska. He graduated from Harvard High School, Harvard, Nebraska in 1935 and from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1939. He was recognized as a Regent Scholar with Distinction, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and Pi Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honor Fraternity. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree at the University of Nebraska in 1940 and graduated as a University Fellow. John Loos served five years in the United States Army. During World War II he was an artillery officer stationed in the South Pacific. He attained the rank of major and in 1945 he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. From 1948 to 1951 John was an assistant professor at Evansville College in Indiana. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in history from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri in 1953. From 1953 to 1955, John was an instructor of United States history at the John Burroughs School, St. Louis, Missouri. In 1955, John started teaching history at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. John loved LSU and his work as teacher and historian. His historical specialty was the history of the American West, especially the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the life and work of William Clark. At LSU, Professor Loos was known especially for his training of graduate students. For many years he taught the introductory seminar for all first-year graduate students in history and directed many students to the completion of their degrees. Professor Loos was a distinguished member of the faculty at LSU for over 34 years. He served as Chairman of the Department of History for 25 years and was an interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. He was named an LSU Alumni Professor in 1983 in recognition of his outstanding teaching and contributions to the University. John Loos played important roles in the promotion of the study of history in Louisiana, speaking before various organizations and providing leadership in the Louisiana Historical Society and Organization of American Historians. John was an active member of University Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge for over 50 years. John adored his family and his family had great love, admiration and respect for him. John felt privileged to enjoy a long and fulfilling career doing work which he loved with people for whom he had great affection and esteem. John will be greatly missed by his family, colleagues, friends and all who knew and loved him. The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of the many wonderful caregivers who provided John with loving care and comfort during his extended illness. In lieu of flowers the Loos family requests donations to the LSU Foundation (in the memo line of the check note: John L. Loos Professorship) 3838 West Lakeshore Dr.; Baton Rouge, LA 70808. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com