Kermit Q. Stephenson, retired professor of agricultural engineering, Pennsylvania State University, died peacefully at home February 2, 2014, surrounded by his loving family as he was throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Hazel Joyce Derrick Stephenson; daughters, Dr. Marian Joyce Stephenson, Davis CA; Suzan Lynn Stephenson Fohringer (Tim), Millheim PA; Linda Lea Stephenson, Lititz PA; grandchildren Sarah Jane Sheetz and Rachel Joyce Sheetz, both of College Station TX ; sister, Hazel Gray, Springdale AR, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Felix Edward and Cora Lee McGraw Stephenson, of DeWitt AR; brothers, Felix (Jr), Wayne and Glenn Stephenson, and sister, Wanda Stephenson Turner.

For 18 years following retirement in 1984 Kermit and Hazel traveled extensively, visiting all 48 contiguous states and Alaska. Their experiences were material for the regalement of their family at many gatherings. Kermit knew what was important in life and his wife, daughters, granddaughters and sons-in-law love and admire his honesty, patience and good humor as well as his great story telling and creative problem-solving.

A native of St Charles AR, as a boy Kermit dreamed of being a steamboat captain; instead his interests led him to a teaching and research career during which he focused on the mechanization of fruit and vegetable production, freeze-drying and storing of frozen foods and the application of electronic instrumentation and controls for agricultural equipment. He was awarded three degrees from the University of Arkansas: a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and both bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural engineering. Before coming to Penn State he served four years as an engineering specialist on international projects in Panama. He served three years in the U.S. Army Air Force, attached to the 82nd Airborne, with overseas duty in the European Theater of Operations during WWII as Sergeant in Communications.

During his 25 years at Penn State he wrote and published many technical articles and taught undergraduate and graduate level courses as well as doing innovative work on a variety of agricultural machinery. He designed and developed a mechanical tomato harvester with electronic sorting of fruit by color, a transplanter-mulcher, and a machine to dig and ball nursery plants. He was a registered professional engineer and a member of a number of professional organizations and honor societies.

He will be buried at Centre County Memorial Park, State College PA. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

A guestbook can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.