Farewell to a Leader in Idaho Agriculture, a Colleague and Friend
On November 17, 1999, Idaho and the University of Idaho lost an agricultural leader, a colleague and friend, to terminal illness. Gary A. Lee joined the UI from the University of Wyoming in 1975 as a professor specializing in weed science. He dedicated the last 24 years of his career to serving the UI College of Agriculture and Idaho's agriculture.
At Wyoming and the UI, Gary amassed an outstanding career as a faculty member. His career accomplishments as a weed scientist include more than 1,000 presentations and 400 technical publications. From 1980 to 1986, Gary served as head of the UI College of Agriculture's Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences during a critical period in the department's evolution and development, and from 1986 to 1995 he served as the college's associate dean of research and director of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. Gary's contributions during this administrative phase of his career were extensive and have had significant, enduring impact on agriculture within the university and the state of Idaho.
Beginning in 1986, I worked with Gary as assistant/associate director of the experiment station. During this period we developed a close professional and personal relationship. It is an honor to share my perspective regarding some of the major impacts that Gary A. Lee's career have had at the university and state levels.
First and foremost, Gary was dedicated to enhancing Idaho's agriculture and the programs of the college. He always brought a keen analytical mind, a vision, a unique breadth and depth of understanding, and an exceptional work ethic and productivity to address the task at hand. Underlying this professionalism was a positive, outgoing, engaging personality, a great sense of humor, and deep concern for his fellow man. These attributes summed to make Gary an effective leader within the university and state, one who was able to effectively implement and garner support for new programs or program changes.
Gary's major contributions include
(1) Restructuring the UI's nuclear seed potato program and the Foundation Seed Program in addition to developing improved procedures for releasing new plant varieties, all to ensure that the crop varieties and seed needed to support Idaho's agriculture are of the highest quality.
(2) Reorganizing the college's research and extension centers into a coordinated, statewide outreach and agricultural research support system.
(3) Securing support for the UI Food Quality Assurance Program and establishing the college's current Analytical Sciences Laboratory.
(4) Developing the college's policy for commercialization of intellectual properties after extensive interactions with external stakeholders.
(5) Enhancing overall research grants and contracts in the college as well as stimulating multidisciplinary research programming.
During his administration of the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station, Gary also played a critical role in the construction of a variety of new agricultural research facilities. These include the USDA Small Grain Germplasm Repository and Natural Resources Conservation Service facilities at Aberdeen, the potato storage research facility and seed processing facility at the Kimberly Research & Extension Center, the greenhouse renovation on campus, the seed storage and processing facility at the Parker Farm near campus, and the large-animal growth and surgery facilities on campus. In the early 1990s, Gary also provided leadership for securing the first federal appropriations for the Agricultural Biotechnology Laboratory, which is now under construction.
All who knew and worked with Gary Lee are saddened by his passing and send our sincere condolences to his family. We miss his talent and good humor. We also appreciate his many contributions to the college and to the state's agriculture and are aware of the legacy he leaves for us to continue.
Gary's family has established a scholarship in his name. Contributions may be made to the Gary Lee Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Advancement Services, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-3147.
-- by Richard Heimsch, Associate Dean and Director, Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station
Gary A. Lee