In Memoriam Professor of Plant & Soil Sciences After a long and heroic struggle with renal cancer, the Department's beloved and highly respected Professor Thomas H. Boyle III died peacefully in his wife's arms in their Amherst home on Tuesday December 19, 2006. Thomas, a native of Norfolk, VA, received a B.S. degree in Horticulture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University in 1977. He earned his M.S. degree in 1981 and his Ph.D. in 1986, both at the University of Maryland. Thomas became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant & Soil Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1986. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1991, and to full Professor in 1999. At the time of his death, he was an active employee in the Department of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences (as renamed in 2004). He was also an active participant in the Plant Biology Graduate Program at UMass Amherst, serving as their Graduate Program Director. In addition, he was a Faculty member in the Graduate Program in Organismic & Evolutionary Biology at UMass Amherst. He taught undergraduate and graduate courses in plant genetics and in greenhouse management. He acted as Faculty Advisor to many successful M.S. and PH.D. students, and served on several other graduate student committees. His research interests included genetics and reproductive biology of plants, crop adaptation and evolution, and the collection,evaluation and utilization of crop germplasm. Through his research, Thomas developed and patented a number of ornamental plants for commercial use. In addition, he authored or co-authored many scholarly articles and book chapters. Thomas was an inspiring mentor to his students and colleagues, and treated every co-worker with respect. He was also a very good University "citizen," deeply involved in Departmental affairs and in service to the University. He will be missed by the University community and by the entire Department, especially in French Hall and in the French Hall Greenhouses. Thomas was very committed to his profession and to his chosen scientific field. He was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with others. In addition to his activities at the University, Thomas was a member and active participant in professional organizations, most notably for The American Society for Horticultural Sciences and the USDA Ornamental Germplasm Center. Also, he was often called upon to review articles for publication in professional science journals including HortScience, HortTechnology, Journal for the American Society for Horticultural Science, Annals of Botany, etc. He was recently asked to review chapters in "Life: The Science of Biology", 8th edition, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA. Outside of work, Thomas enjoyed international travel, sampling and cooking new foods, and had a deep appreciation for history and other cultures. He was always eager to embark on new adventures with Nancy, his wife of over 14 years, and their son Samuel, 8 years old at the time of his father's death. Thomas was an accomplished drummer, accordian and harmonica player, and loved listening to a wide array of music. He had a quick wit and liked to tell a good joke. Thomas was an excellent mix of humor and dignity. He leaves his beloved family and several other relatives, as well as a multitude of friends, colleagues, students, and co-workers. Thomas Henry Boyle III will always be remembered as a loving husband, a devoted father, a good friend, a dedicated teacher and scientist, and, as the phrase was so aptly coined, "a gentleman and a scholar."
Dr. Thomas H. Boyle's
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