DANIEL BYRNE 1920-2006

My grandfather, Dan Byrne, was a collector, Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) member and the author of comprehensive volumes on the medals and orders of Russia, France, Belgium, Vietnam, and other countries.

I remember as a small child being in awe of his colorful collection, which adorned the walls of his TV room (what we'd now refer to as a man cave, I suppose) from top to bottom behind protective glass.

It was his wish after he died in 2006 at age 85 that his family sell his collection, including his library of books, which fell to me.

Anyone who's interested in the books is free to take a look at a list I've compiled online: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkRAS5wUt3GzdHA1ajB3Sm05UkhfT2R0WXdWUXNMUFE#gid=0 .

I am attempting to sell them on eBay, but would happily work outside of that venue. Here is a link to the eBay store, and I'll be posting new books periodically for the next few weeks: stores.ebay.com/DanByrneMedalLibrary?_rdc=1 .

Dan was a meticulous but humorous man, a dedicated researcher and devoted storyteller who made many friends in your world. I've had a lot of fun researching these books and finding out more about them, and him.

His obituary is copied below. Feel free to contact me at senatorallen@gmail.com with questions.

Barbara Allen, Stillwater, Oklahoma.

BYRNE -- Daniel, cofounder of Plastic Engineering Company of Tulsa, died Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at the age of 85. Dan was born in Tulsa on July 11, 1920. He graduated from Marquette High School and the University of Tulsa as a Chemical Engineer. He was an avid TU football fan, and never passed up a chance to discuss the exploits of Glen Dobbs. In 1941, Dan married Margaret Bath, and the union lasted 49 years until her death in 1990.

During World War II, Dan worked at Douglas Aircraft where he learned the techniques of thermoforming acrylic sheet into aircraft canopies. After the war, he and Margaret started the Plastic Engineering Company in their home. Soon, the business moved to a storefront near 9th and Denver. Today the company is located at 6801 E. 44th Street and is operated by second and third-generation family members.

Dan was considered an expert on automatic sidearms and helped found the National Automatic Pistol Collectors Association. He later became interested in international militaria and compiled one of the finest collections of military decorations and orders in the United States. Recognizing a need for definitive references, he authored collectors' guides for the medals of Belgium, France, Russia and Vietnam. Dan is survived by: his son and daughter-in-law, Denny and Mary; his grandchildren, Barbara (Allen), Virginia (Gleason) and Matthew (Byrne); his great-grandchildren, Vivian Allen and Georgia Gleason.

To read the complete article, see: BYRNE -- Daniel (www.tulsaworld.com/ourlives/article.aspx?subjectid=58&articleid=060512_Ob_obsn3794698)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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