In Memoriam

We sadly mark the passing of the following Alumni and Friends:

Chih-Ming Yin: April 5, 2008 at age 64
A Professor who served the Department of Entomology for almost 30 years before retiring in 2003 after suffering a near-fatal stroke. Although he could not return to the work he loved, he bravely rallied to enjoy time with his loving family. Chih-Ming Yin was a renowned insect physiologist and endocrinologist who published more than 115 articles in refereed journals. He shared his expertise with scientists all over the world on topics that included forensic entomology. He was also a devoted teacher, and a beloved mentor to his graduate students. Please see the Chih-Ming Yin memorial page for more details. Chih's many friends and colleagues in the department and throughout the campus will remember him for his passion as a scientist, devotion to his profession, his team spirit, and his unshakeably positive attidude towards everyone and everything. He was a good and gracious friend to all.

Francis W. Holmes: March 21, 2007 at age 77
A Professor who served the Department of Plant Pathology for 37 before retiring in 1991. He also served as Director of the Department's former Shade Tree Laboratories for 17 years. He was a leader in Dutch Elm Disease research, and provided Extension services to Massachusetts Tree Wardens. In additon, he was an award-winning teacher in the Stockbridge School at UMass, twice a Fulbright Scholar, and garnished several other awards throughout his career. Please see the Francis Holmes memorial page for more details. Francis Holmes was a distictive character who will be remembered by his colleagues and students, as well as by his family and friends.

Thomas Henry Boyle III: December 19, 2006 at age 53
A Professor who served the Department of Plant & Soil Sciences (and Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences) for 20 years. Thomas was an active employee at the time of his death. He was an accomplished scientist, a passionate teacher, and a distinguished individual who will be fondly remembered by the Department, the campus community, and by everyone else who was fortunate enough to know him. He was truely a "gentleman and a scholar." Please see the Department's memorial tribute to Thomas.

William E. Tomlinson: November 16, 2006 at age 93
A retired Professor of Entomology who worked at the Waltham Field Station, and later at the Cranberry Experiment Station in East Wareham, MA. He served the Department for more than 34 years before retiring in 1978.

Judith A. Kolb: October 1, 2005, at age 67
A UMass Extension Clerk who served Extension and Plant & Soil Sciences for more than 22 years before retiring in 2002.

Thomas A. Beauchesne: August 24, 2005, at age 52
A Greenhouse Superintendent who served Plant & Soil Sciences (and Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences) for more than 35 years. Tom was an active employee at the time of his death, and was a sterling individual who will be missed by his co-workers in the Department, and by everyone else who knew him on and off campus. Please see the Thomas Beauchesne memorial page for more details.

Gianetto "Gil" F. Gianetti: July 11, 2005, at age 91
A Technical Assistant who served Plant and Soil Sciences for 18 years before retiring in 1980. He graduated from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture in 1934.

Ronald J. Prokopy: May 14, 2004, at age 68
A Professor who served Entomology for nearly 30 years. Ron was an active employee at the time of his death. A pioneer in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Ron received numerous grants, awards and honors, including the UMass Chancellor’s Award in 1985 and the UMass Distinguished Academic Outreach Award in 1998. He also wrote more than 450 publications for local, national and international sources. Ron was a unique individual who will be missed by all. See NRE's "Remembering Ron Prokopy."

Richard H. Clark: November 30, 2003, at age 65
A Horticulturist at the Cold Spring Orchard Research & Education Center in Belchertown, MA (formerly The Horticultural Research Center) who served for 32 years before retiring in 1997.

John Ralph Havis: June 16, 2003, at age 82
An Emeritus Professor of Plant & Soil Sciences who served for more than 33 years before retiring in 1985.

Elizabeth I. Kramer: May 26, 2003, at age 86
A Senior Typist for Plant & Soil Sciences who served for more than 13 1/2 years before retiring in 1977.

Waldo C. Lincoln Jr.: April 30, 2003, at age 83
An Emeritus Professor of Plant & Soil Sciences who served for more than 34 years before retiring in 1983.

For further information or to post an obituary, please contact The Department of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences