Archives West Finding Aid

Byron Louis Weber was born in Great Falls, Montana, May 3, 1945, to Wilfred and Helen (Demarest) Weber. He lived briefly in the Sweetgrass Hills of north central Montana and in Shelby, Montana prior to moving to Billings, Montana. He received his primary grade education at Highland and Fratt Memorial schools in Billings and Ursuline Academy in Great Falls. At Great Falls Central High, he wrestled, played football as an end for the 1962 state championship team, and was active in student government as the student body president and Boys State delegate.

At the College of Great Falls, Weber majored in biology, graduating in 1967. During this time period, he developed a passion for living things that evolved into a lifetime theme. He also served in leadership positions, including student body president.

After graduation, Weber enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and went to Vietnam as a second lieutenant in the infantry. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V." After an honorable discharge from the Marines, he traveled across the country to personally visit the families of his men who died in combat.

Then Weber, on a quest to see more of the world, hitchhiked through South America for 18 months, returning with many memories, including floating down the length of the Amazon River. Back in Montana, Byron worked in the Yogo Sapphire mines, hayed in the Sweetgrass Hills, and finally settled in the Bitterroot area. There he lived in a cabin and spent countless hours in the out of doors making detailed observations about his natural surroundings. From his meticulous notes over the seasons he developed a natural history calendar for the area.

Weber returned to school at The University of Montana-Missoula, obtaining his teaching credentials. He first taught at Target Range Middle School in Missoula and then found a perfect fit teaching in Florence, Montana, from 1984 until he retired in June, 2010, mirroring his mother's career as a first-grade teacher.

Weber and Jane Byard were married in Missoula on May 17, 1986. They have one son, Nick.

Weber's interest in classifying his world began at his grandparents' ranch in the Sweetgrass Hills when he was very young. After seeing a bird, his grandmother rushed into the house, retrieved her bird book, and identified the bird. Following her example, Weber's house was filled with specimens and species including a butterfly collection (with a butterfly he discovered) in his living room and tarantulas crawling in a terrarium on his counter. He passionately taught about the environment to countless fans as the Bug Guy on Montana Public Radio's "The Pea Green Boat," a show for children of all ages. He was a part of the first Earth Day celebration in Washington, D.C. He established an exemplary outdoor classroom at Florence Carlton School, which was dedicated to him on Earth Day this year. Byron was also a founding member and vice-president of the Missoula Butterfly House.

Weber died on Aug. 27, 2010, in Missoula.