William R. Furtick

William R. Furtick

William R. Furtick, PhD., 80, passed away Wednesday, May 16, after a lengthy illness.

His career was fascinating and he was fortunate enough to have made a difference both nationally and internationally.

Bom in Salina, Kan., he graduated from Kansas State University and received his MS and PhD. from Oregon State University. There he was Professor of Crop Science -and Director of International Plant Protection Center.

Mr. Furtick loved teaching and in his words, he “had the best, most outstanding graduate students from all over the world” and cherished them always. During his tenure he was President of Weed Science Society of America, President of Western Weed Science Society, Guest of Honor at the 8th Annual British Weed Control Conference in Brighton, England; awarded the invitational address and membership in National Research Council, National Academy of Science and Fellowship. The Association of ’ Western Agricultural Experiment Station Directors awarded the title of Director Emeritus to him in recognition of his leadership, dedication and outstanding service to agricultural research in the Western Region and the United States.

In 1971, the United Nations called him to set up an Agricultural Research Center in Taiwan; later he was Director of Plant Protection Division at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, Italy; Dean of Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii; then on to Washington, D.C. with the State Department, periodically living and developing programs in Cairo, Egypt; Amman, Jordan; and Tblisi, Georgia. He worked in or visited all but five countries in the world.

Mr. Furtick is survived by his wife Anne of San Luis Obispo, CA. children Bill (Lydia), Randy, Janet (Bill) Raschke, Sjanna, and Sheldon.

A Memorial service will be held on June 9.