JERROLD HOWARD ZAR

Born: June 28, 1941

Died: April 2, 2026

Jerry Zar, 84, a long-time biology professor and graduate dean at Northern Illinois University, died April 2, 2026, at Oak Crest in DeKalb.

Jerry was a scientist, who was deeply committed to the arts. As a scientist, his many accomplishments included writing a biostatistical methods book that went through five editions and co-authoring four editions of an ecological methods book.

As an artist, Jerry played trumpet in the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra for 30 years. He also played trumpet in the Kishwaukee Concert Band during its first 12 years and was a founding member of the Kishwaukee Brass Quintet.

Jerry also was known for his love of language, demonstrated not only in his punctilious proofreading of documents and minutes but also in his love of word play, including puns and double entendres, a skill that delighted others, though sometimes greeted with a groan.

Northern Illinois University was a part of Jerry's life for over six decades. Jerry first came to NIU on a state scholarship as an undergraduate, majoring in biology. He then returned to Northern in 1968 as a faculty member after earning an M.S. (biology) and a Ph.D. (zoology) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He served the university for 34 years until retiring in 2002.

While at the U of I, Jerry met Carol Bachenheimer on a computer date while they were both students. They were married on January 15, 1967. Their sons, David and Adam, were both born after they moved to DeKalb.

Ten years after joining the NIU faculty, Jerry achieved the rank of professor and was simultaneously appointed chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, a position he held for six years.

Jerry then held the joint positions of Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Research for 18 years, working with faculty in every NIU department. Throughout these years, he was known as a person of great integrity.

Over the years, Jerry's deep devotion to NIU was demonstrated in his service on over 40 committees, many as chair, and his service as faculty advisor to three student groups. Even after retiring, he continued to serve on several NIU committees.

Jerry's commitment to community extended into the broader community too. For many years, Jerry was a member of the board of directors and an officer of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He also served on the boards of the Kishwaukee Concert Band, Congregation Beth Shalom, and the Kishwaukee Health System Council.

Jerry published widely in scientific journals and was a member of many professional scientific societies. His professional recognition included being an Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Professional activities outside of NIU included serving on 15 state and national committees, giving invited presentations at conferences and universities, reviewing intended publications for journals and national organizations, and judging science fairs. He was also a scientific consultant to industry and governmental agencies, and an administrative consultant to other universities.

All of this was on top of teaching 18 different courses, from the freshman to the doctoral level, as an NIU professor.

Jerry was the oldest of the four children of Max and Sarah (Brody) Zar. Born in Chicago, he attended Chicago public schools. Midway through his high school years, his family moved, so that he then graduated from Highland Park High School.

He is survived by his wife Carol Zar, of DeKalb, IL; his sons, David (Rene) Zar of Maryland Heights, MO, and Adam Zar, of Madison, WI; his grandchildren Sarah Zar, Hannah Zar, and Ian; and his brothers, Leon (Wendy) Zar of Northbrook IL, and Fred (Lisa Anderson-Shaw) Zar of Chicago. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Myra Zar.

The funeral will be on Monday April 6, 2026, at 11:30am at Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb, with burial immediately following at the Garden of Shalom at Fairview Park Cemetery. Services will be led by Rabbi Brandon Bernstein.

Shiva/Open House will be held at Oak Crest Retirement Center in DeKalb on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 6:30pm-8:30pm with a short service at 7pm all in the Vista Room. Please park and enter at door 4.

In lieu of flowers,  tax-deductible donations in memory of Jerry Zar may be made to the Northern Illinois University Foundation foundation.myniu.com specifying whether for the Zar Scholarship in Biology, the Zar Scholarship in Science Education, the Zar Scholarship in Trumpet Studies, or the Zar Scholarship in Engineering.

Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.