He served as president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1911. Bessey's son, Ernst Bessey was Professor of Mycology and Botany at Michigan State University. His other two sons, Edward and Carl, specialized in electrical engineering.
He held a leadership role in 1911 with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Bessey's son, Ernst Bessey, was an academic specializing in mycology and botany at Michigan State University. His other two sons, Edward and Carl, had careers in electrical engineering.