The chair of the Iowa State Department of Sociology died Tuesday after suffering a reaction to a wasp sting. The Sociology Department’s website says 54-year-old Chester Britt was stung by a wasp while jogging on August 16th and experienced a severe allergic reaction. He was taken to the Ames hospital for treatment, and was later moved to a hospice where he died.

Britt had been named the chair of the department around one year ago after moving to Ames from his position as dean of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University in Boston.

There will be a memorial service for Britt Saturday at 1 p-m at the United Church of Christ-Congregational in Ames.

(Radio Iowa)