Dr. J. Alan A. Renwick

Dr. J. Alan A. Renwick passed away at home and surrounded by family on Tuesday September 18th at the age of 88. Alan was born in Monifieth, Scotland on May 7, 1936. After obtaining a degree in chemistry from Dundee Technical College, Alan moved to Yonkers, NY and began his 44-year career at Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research. While working at BTI, Alan went on to earn a MA in Chemistry from the City College in NY and a PhD in Forestry from the University of Göttingen, Germany. When BTI relocated to the Cornell University Campus in 1978 Alan made Ithaca his home. He married his late wife Anne Marie (Doyle) Renwick in 1983 and raised two daughters, Katie and Fiona.

Alan continued to work at BTI until his retirement in 2004, after which he remained involved as an emeritus professor. Alan loved his work and made many significant contributions to the field of chemical ecology, publishing over 140 research publications over the course of his career. Retirement did allow him more time to ski, golf, garden, play tennis and later pickleball, and spend time with his family. He will be remembered as a loving father and grandfather who always had a ready smile and kind words for anyone he encountered.

Alan is survived by daughters Katie Renwick (Tony) and Fiona Avery (Michael); grandchildren Sawyer, Dane, and Claire; brothers Gordon Renwick (Avril) and Howard Renwick (Linda); sister-in-law Connie Tavelli (Paul); and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon on Sunday, September 22 at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 W. Green St., Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boyce Thompson Institute.