Byron Burke Bair, 73, a retired history teacher of 33 years, died Saturday after a yearlong illness with his family by his side.

Born in East Pittsburgh in 1932, he moved to East Aurora, N.Y., in his teens, where he graduated from high school and met his wife, Harriett Donaldson.

After graduating from the University of Buffalo with advanced degrees in history and government, he and his wife moved to Hardin, Mont., where he was a park ranger historian for the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Park. He also began teaching while in Montana.

Mr. Bair moved with his family back to western New York in 1958, continuing his teaching career at Amherst Central High School in Amherst, N.Y. After retiring from full-time teaching in 1989, he was an adjunct professor of education at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. for several years.

He and his wife returned to the Pittsburgh area in 1995, where he spent the rest of his retirement years. During his retirement, he was active in local government. He also enjoyed driving a school bus part time.

Mr. Bair had a passion for vintage automobiles and was especially proud of his collection of restored Ford Mustangs and Thunderbirds.

In addition to his beloved wife of 52 years, he is survived by three daughters, Lisa (Russell) Peters and Gayle (George) Varre, both of Pittsburgh, and Jenna (Brian) Palka of Clarence Center, N.Y., and four grandchildren, Tyler and Jolie Peters and Jamie and Maggie Palka.

<B>BAIR</B> — A celebration of life service for Byron Burke Bair, who died Saturday, March 4, 2006, will be held at 1 p.m. April 1 at the Rock Lake Club House in Zelienople.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Park Foundation — Indian Memorial Fund, 1101 17th Street, NW, Suite 1102, Washington, D.C. 20250.Arrangements are entrusted to the <B>GLENN-KILDOO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES</B>, Zelienople.