Last month Dr. C. Reed Funk, professor emeritus at Rutgers
University, passed away following a brief bout of pneumonia. He was 84.
Bruce Clark, Ph.D., described Funk in a statement as a “pioneer in
the field of turfgrass breeding,” noting that he is credited with the
development of hundreds of cool-season turfgrass cultivars with dramatic
improvements in pest and stress tolerance. “Many of his germplasm
releases, such as ‘Manhattan’ perennial ryegrass and ‘Rebel’ tall
fescue, are considered landmark cultivars and have served as a
foundation for many of the new turf-type cultivars used throughout the
world today,” Clark stated.
Golfdom research editor Clark Throssell, Ph.D., described Funk as a “true icon of turfgrass science and the turfgrass industry.”
“Reed made incredible improvements in cool season grasses that are
used on golf courses, home lawn, sport fields and other turf areas
around the world,” Throssell said. “Reed was a fine person, humble,
willing to help and generous with his time and talent.”
Later in life Funk took his expertise and set it towards a worthy
goal: battling world hunger. He created a successful non-profit program
called Improving Perennial Plants for Food and Bioenergy that worked to develop highly nutritious and sustainable tree crops that are able to be grown on marginal land.
“When I teach turfgrass management and the discussion turns to cool
season grasses and cultivar improvements over the last 50 years you
cannot avoid mentioning Dr. Reed Funk. His impact on turfgrass breeding
is unmatched,” said Karl Danneberger, Ph.D., Golfdom‘s science
editor and a professor at The Ohio State University. “But the thing I
mention to students is that yes he was extremely bright and had a strong
belief in work ethic, but it was who he was that impressed me the most.
Dr. Funk proved that nice guys could finish first.”
Showing posts with label C. Reed Funk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label C. Reed Funk. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
In memoriam: Dr. Reed Funk, 84
Was just forwarded this email from Bruce Clarke, with the sad news of Dr. Reed Funk's passing:
Dear Friends:
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Dr. C. Reed Funk. Reed passed away the morning of Thursday, October 4 after a brief battle with pneumonia. He was 84 years old.
Reed joined the faculty at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in 1961 and was a pioneer in the field of turfgrass breeding. Throughout his illustrious career that spanned over four decades, he is credited with the development of hundreds of cool-season turfgrass cultivars with dramatic improvements in pest and stress tolerance. Many of his germplasm releases, such as 'Manhattan' perennial ryegrass and 'Rebel' tall fescue, are considered landmark cultivars and have served as a foundation for many of the new turf-type cultivars used throughout the world today. His tremendous intellect and keen sense of observation lead to many significant discoveries including the development of the first successful method of breeding Kentucky bluegrass by means of intraspecific hybridization, and the discovery that endophytic fungi can impart increased tolerance to major insect pests and enhanced performance for turfgrasses growing under environmental stress. Reed's diverse germplasm collection and enhancement programs have revolutionized the turfgrass sod and seed industries throughout the world.
In 1996, Reed embarked on an ambitious perennial tree crops breeding project at Rutgers, setting his sights on using plant breeding to develop highly nutritious and sustainable tree crops able to be grown on marginal land. Later, he expanded this project to Utah and developed a non-profit foundation dedicated to breeding tree crops adapted to the Intermountain West region of the United States. Both of these projects are prospering today because of Reed’s vision, unmatched work ethic, and commitment to excellence. Reed was a mentor to dozens of students, faculty and staff and a friend to everyone in the Rutgers and Turfgrass Community. He will be sorely missed.
There will be a viewing Tuesday, October 9, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Allen-Hall Mortuary (34 E. Center Street) in Logan, Utah and Wednesday morning, October 10 from 9:30-10:30 am at the LDS chapel (corner of 150 South and 100 East street) in Richmond, Utah prior to the funeral service. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel.
Sincerely,
Bruce Clarke
Dear Friends:
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Dr. C. Reed Funk. Reed passed away the morning of Thursday, October 4 after a brief battle with pneumonia. He was 84 years old.
Reed joined the faculty at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in 1961 and was a pioneer in the field of turfgrass breeding. Throughout his illustrious career that spanned over four decades, he is credited with the development of hundreds of cool-season turfgrass cultivars with dramatic improvements in pest and stress tolerance. Many of his germplasm releases, such as 'Manhattan' perennial ryegrass and 'Rebel' tall fescue, are considered landmark cultivars and have served as a foundation for many of the new turf-type cultivars used throughout the world today. His tremendous intellect and keen sense of observation lead to many significant discoveries including the development of the first successful method of breeding Kentucky bluegrass by means of intraspecific hybridization, and the discovery that endophytic fungi can impart increased tolerance to major insect pests and enhanced performance for turfgrasses growing under environmental stress. Reed's diverse germplasm collection and enhancement programs have revolutionized the turfgrass sod and seed industries throughout the world.
In 1996, Reed embarked on an ambitious perennial tree crops breeding project at Rutgers, setting his sights on using plant breeding to develop highly nutritious and sustainable tree crops able to be grown on marginal land. Later, he expanded this project to Utah and developed a non-profit foundation dedicated to breeding tree crops adapted to the Intermountain West region of the United States. Both of these projects are prospering today because of Reed’s vision, unmatched work ethic, and commitment to excellence. Reed was a mentor to dozens of students, faculty and staff and a friend to everyone in the Rutgers and Turfgrass Community. He will be sorely missed.
There will be a viewing Tuesday, October 9, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Allen-Hall Mortuary (34 E. Center Street) in Logan, Utah and Wednesday morning, October 10 from 9:30-10:30 am at the LDS chapel (corner of 150 South and 100 East street) in Richmond, Utah prior to the funeral service. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel.
Sincerely,
Bruce Clarke
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