A loss for the Penn State family

It's been a sad few weeks for the alumni, faculty and friends of the Penn State turfgrass program, as they have been mourning the death of Paul Heller, Ph.D. (pictured here in the blue shirt, alongside another Penn Stater, Robert Walker, during a visit to St. David's GC in Wayne, Pa.). Heller was a longtime professor of entomology in the program who died on Jan. 18 after a long bout with colon cancer. He was 61.

Shortly after Heller's passing, we heard from Henry Wetzel, Ph.D., a former student of Heller's who now works as a turfgrass consultant based out of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He's assisting us in putting together a short obituary for Heller that we'll publish in the March issue of GCM, and sent along a remembrance of Heller that he wrote for the Philadelphia GCSA's March newsletter. We thought our blog would be a great place for folks to get a more-detailed sense of what Heller meant to the Penn State family, so we're pleased to present Wetzel's thoughts today.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr. Paul Heller, Professor of Entomology at The Pennsylvania State University. I first met Paul in grade school as a tag-a-long with my father at St. David's G.C. Reflecting back, little did I know that Paul was instilling in me the basic principles of integrated pest management (IPM) needed to make the best management decisions for turfgrass. I have fond memories of Paul and Bob Walker visiting St. David's while I was in high school, establishing and evaluating experimental or demonstration insect management plots. If Paul was tied up with teaching or extension responsibilities, Bob visited and collected data with Dad, but typically they visited as a team.

I also interacted with Paul as an undergraduate at Penn State pursuing a B.S. in Agronomy (’88 to ’92). During this time, Paul was contributing to our knowledge of insect pests in Christmas tree farms. As a student worker, Paul encouraged me in my science career and paid me from one of his research grants, to assist him in compiling a literature search on Christmas tree insect pests. Even though Paul had numerous interests, he always made time to accommodate students in the B.S. Agronomy program with an eye toward managing turfgrass. During my time as a student, I was able to sit in with the two-year Golf Course Turfgrass Management students and get to see Paul in action as a teacher. Those of you who experienced his teaching will remember his first-class delivery of information. Of course, Paul made undergraduates do additional work to earn the credit hours and further our expertise in turf insect identification and management. Remember Paul’s quizzes at the Penn State Golf Turf Conference? He took what he learned “research-wise” in the field and delivered it “classroom-style” wherever he presented. He loved to put you on the spot, in a friendly way, that made you stretch your knowledge. He was always receptive to questions, and if you put him on the spot and he did not have an answer, he would get right back with you.

Leaving University Park, while pursuing graduate studies, then beginning my first “real job” as an Assistant Professor & Extension Turfgrass Specialist at North Carolina State University, and all through my days in private industry in product development of fungicides, Paul was just a phone call or an e-mail away for advice. I am sure many of you that are reading this can relate and appreciate that Paul was always ready to help you make a decision in managing insect populations in fine turf. Those of you who have kept up with the latest applied turfgrass management research, know that Paul published his results promptly and was committed to assisting fine turf managers in southeastern Pennsylvania do their jobs more effectively regarding insect management. His research results were sought after by turfgrass managers outside the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania too.

Paul was always a gentleman and a scholar. Those of you who met Paul professionally, always saw his positive side and an easy going public face. Those who knew him intimately saw someone who drove himself to exceed everyone’s expectations and someone whose main objective was to be of service to everyone he met. He spent hours preparing his presentations, taking his expected audience into consideration. What came across as a relaxed and confident public speaker was really the result of long hours of careful preparation by Paul. He was probably the best public speaker I have ever heard. His legacy of published research results in turfgrass and Christmas tree management will benefit those who maintain fine turfgrass and Christmas trees for years to come. His legacy of friendship and kindness will be remembered by everyone who met him.

Comments

[Dr. Mike Fidanza, Pennsylvania State University]

Dr. Paul Heller was a very important part of our Penn State turfgrass program, and he will be missed by so many students and golf course superintendents. He was a great friend to all of us.

[Gary Moorman, Penn State Plant Pathology]

Paul and I traveled many miles together early in our careers (and came close to serious injury or death on 2 occassions!). He taught me by example what it means to strive to be excellent in Extension education. I've never met a harder worker or a more gracious person.

[John Kaminski, Penn State]

I was fortunate enough to know Paul not only as an undergraduate, but also for a brief time as a faculty member. He was a genuine person who was passionate about his students, his peers, and the industry. He will be missed by everyone.

[Pete Landschoot]

I don’t know how or when Paul got interested in entomology, but those of us who work with turf in PA are sure glad he did. Paul was our turf entomologist for 32 years, and he logged untold miles putting out grub trials in fairways, scouring lawns for chinch bugs, and checking out reports of new bugs moving across the state line. He was a master extension specialist and teacher. Much of his life was devoted helping students and practitioners with their careers, and he frequently donated research funds towards scholarships, and to help students travel to meetings. I’ll always remember him walking up to the podium at the Penn State Golf Turf Conference and taking control of the room for the next 45 minutes. Everywhere he spoke, the audience loved him; we’re all going to miss him.

[Dr. Henry C. Wetzel III]

I have so many great memories of Paul, but on the lighter side. I will never forget my days as an undergraduate at Penn State. Mom, Dad, Brian and I would typically meet Paul at the AutoPort in State College for breakfast, prior to the summer turfgrass field days. That was the best part of the field days, the one on one time with Paul telling us about his summer travels and all the insects he observed. Then, like Pete Landschoot mentioned, Paul would take the mike on the turf plots. He was just a gem and you never wanted to miss his presentation. What a great individual.

[Greg Hoover, Dept. of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University]

Paul Heller was my mentor when I first started working in the Department of Entomology at Penn State in 1989. His suggestions to me regarding the development of an effective ornamental entomology extension program were always very helpful. Paul made sure that I was communicating with the right people and stakeholder groups. I had the pleasure of knowing Paul for more than 20 years. He would often say to me after we discussed different topics "that you're like a brother to me". I know Paul said this to other friends as well, but I must admit that I truly felt good when I knew we had just resolved an important issue. Paul was an unselfish and caring man. He put students needs ahead of his own. Paul did so without asking for any recognition. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer, he continued to truly care about the health of others as well. I will miss his friendship.

[Doug Linde]

Dr. Heller always took time to say hello and chat a bit with me. For 4 years while in graduate school I walked through his first floor field office on the way to my 2nd floor field office at Penn State. He never said a bad thing about anyone. Dr. Heller was my father's, a retired superintendent, favorite speaker at conferences. He'll be missed.

[Sandy Feather]

Paul made learning fun. His wonderful sense of humor made whatever he was teaching stick. He was never too busy to answer a question from a new extension educator or say "yes" to speaking at a program out in the counties. Paul was unfailingly generous with his time and knowledge, and he was a mentor to me in many ways. We are all going to miss him.

[Larry Norton]

Paul was a friend to everyone that require a top notch entomologist. (and still, he had time for others too!) A truley giving man that was genuine in every sense of the word. We miss you Paul!