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.
In 1911, he presided over the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Bessey's son, Ernst Bessey, was a professor of mycology and botany at Michigan State University. His other two sons, Edward and Carl, were specialists in electrical engineering.