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Bill Burl Brodie, 82, of Ithaca, was born to George Elmer and Carmel Mae Brodie at home on April 25, 1934, in Alma, Arkansas, and passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 7, 2017, at the Hospicare Residence in Ithaca, NY.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Mary H Brodie, his daughters Sheila Padgett of Durant, OK, Linda Wyatt of Danby, NY, Anne Brodie of Oklahoma City, OK, and son Anthony (Hope) Brodie of West Danby, NY, 12 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by sisters Ruby (Myrl) Jones and Barbara Green, sister-in-law Betty Brodie, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers George (Zeke), Jim, and Jack Brodie, and his sisters Sadie Gregory, Juanita Burkett, and Diane Celarier.
Bill left home at the age of 16 to become the first of his family to attend college, earning his BS and MS at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK, and his PhD in Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, NC.
From there, he worked for the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Lubbock, TX, then in Tifton, GA, before accepting a position working for the USDA-ARS with a courtesy appointment to Cornell University's Plant Pathology Dept. in Ithaca, NY in 1969, where he worked until retiring in 2003. While working at Cornell, he met his best friend, Mary Hill, and married her on Nov 2, 1977.
During his long career with the USDA-ARS, Bill ran the Federal Golden Nematode Lab at Cornell University and the Golden Nematode Research Farm in Steuben County NY, making many advances in Integrated Pest Management of nematodes, and spent a sabbatical from Nov 1977-June 1978 in Lima, Peru, working at the International Potato Center. From 1987-1997, he served as Supervisory Plant Pathologist and Research Leader for USDA/ARS at the Federal Plant, Soil and Nutrition Lab in Ithaca, NY. Bill received the Empire State Potato Club Certificate of Merit (1987), USDA Certificate of Merit (1984), USDA/ARS Outstanding Scientist of the Year (1989), USDA Superior Service Award (1991), and a USDA Group Honor Award for Excellence (1995). In 1999, he was made an Honorary Life Member of The Potato Association of America. In 2017, the Cornell Plant Breeding Department named a potato variety "Brodie" in his honor. It is, of course, resistant to the Golden Nematode.
In addition to his career, Bill enjoyed gardening, antiquing, and watching his favorite team, the New York Yankees. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a loving and wonderful husband, father, uncle, and grandfather. He was always encouraging, with many entertaining jokes and stories to tell and much wisdom to share. His many colorful sayings will be especially remembered.
Bill worked hard to make a good life for his family, from his modest beginnings in rural Arkansas, through his education and his career achievements. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by many.
The family would like to thank Amanda McLaughlin and Suzanne Carreiro, from Hospicare, for their kindness and comfort in difficult times.
There will be a memorial service and celebration of Bill's life held at 11:00am on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the Trinity Lutheran Church at 149 Honness Lane, in Ithaca NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.
SERVICES Memorial Service
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 11:00 AM
Trinity Lutheran Church 149 Honness Lane Ithaca, Ny 14850
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