Bradley E. Foster

1960-2007

Bradley E. Foster 47, Indianapolis, died Friday, November 16, 2007. Brad died as he lived; with dignity, grace and a keen sense of humor.

He graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor's degree in Entomology. After graduation he began a career with the Indiana State Department of Health, where he worked for 24 years as a Medical Entomologist. During that time he worked primarily with the state-wide encephalitis surveillance program as a vector control specialist. He was a member of the American Mosquito Control Association and last March was elected President of the Indiana Vector Control Association.

Brad was a professional model builder and created scale models of ships from the Revolutionary period through World War II. He was recognized throughout the country for his scale model replicas but was best known as an authority on the USS Indianapolis. After years of research and labor, he created a model of that ship based on original blueprints from the National Archives. The model is currently on display the Indiana State Museum and is made of fiberglass, plastic and hand formed brass. He was a member of the United Modelers Association.

Running and kayaking were Brad's primary outdoor exercises. He was active in Indy Runners and was a trainer for the Indy 500 mini-marathon. He ran in many half-marathons, continuing his last race in May after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Brad liked the water and was an expert kayaker. He was fortunate to be able to paddle in Indiana, Arkansas, and Louisiana regularly.

Vivie Dunn

1949 – 2007

Vivie Dunn was born and raised in Newark Delaware where she graduated from Christiana Senior High School.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Entomology from the University of Delaware in 1971.  During this period of time she became familiar with mosquitoes.  This familiarity turned into a life-long fascination.  She then received her Master of Science degree in Biology from Idaho State University.

The Indiana State Board of Health was fortunate to hire Vivie in 1978 as an entomologist responsible for working with local health departments, businesses, and citizens in the southern third of Indiana.  Vivie was stationed in Newburgh where she worked until the present time. 

During the ensuing time period, Vivie developed a reputation for her competence, enthusiasm and her ability to work with a variety of people.  She was extremely popular on the lecture circuit, never hesitating to give talks about subjects as diverse as head lice, ticks, mosquitoes, and hantavirus to schools, 4-H clubs, and local health department personnel, just to mention a few.

Vivie was extremely energetic, contributing greatly to the success of the Arbovirus Surveillance Program through the years.  In this capacity she dealt competently with St. Louis Encephalitis, the introduction of Aedes albopictus, the Asian Tiger Mosquito, West Nile Virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme Disease.  She showed leadership, guiding local health departments in her area through everything from collection and identification of specimens to control of vector populations.

Vivie was also active in the Indiana Vector Control Association and The Indiana Environmental Health Association, receiving the award of Sanitarian of the Year from that group in 1988.  Vivie was an active member of the American Mosquito Control Association, the Entomological Society of America, the Indiana State Academy of Science, and was accredited as a Registered Professional Entomologist.