William D. (Bill) Pardee, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 1st at his residence at Kendal at Ithaca. He was 86 years old and born July 7th, 1929 in New Haven, Connecticut to William Durley Pardee, Sr. and Catherine Eames Pardee. He is survived by a younger brother, Scott Edward Pardee of New York City, his loving wife of over 50 years, Barbara Klaer Pardee and his children Sherry Pardee (Iowa City, IA), Scott Pardee ( Ithaca, NY), Ken Pardee (Columbus, OH) and Jo-Ann McCoy (Bracey, VA) He is preceded in death by his other brother Joseph M. Pardee, of Monroe CT.
Bill grew up on the family farm in Orange, CT. He worked on the home farm and several larger cash and dairy farms in the area through high school and on summer "vacations" while in college. These experiences developed his interest in farming and agricultural sciences. He participated in 4-H activities and became interested in Plant Breeding, which became his career.
His father, William Sr., died when young Bill was 14 and he took on many of the responsibilities of being the man of the house at this early age. HIs father had grown up on the farm and had attended Dartmouth and Yale Divinity School. He was a minister and part-time farmer. Bill and his younger brothers were raised by their mother who, as a single mother, installed in her boys a strong sense of values and work ethics that directed them to careers, in which all three excelled.
Bill was a professor Emeritus at Cornell in Plant Breeding. He attended Dartmouth College, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Botany. He then went on to receive his doctorate from Cornell University in Plant Breeding. His first teaching job was at the Ag school at the University of Illinois, Urbana. Within a few years he received an offer to return to Cornell and Ithaca were he spent the rest of his years teaching in the Plant Breeding department. Over the years he wrote for numerous agricultural publications and also served as department chair for many years. In addition to teaching he regularly traveled New York state meeting with crop and dairy farmers studying production and offering advice. In his later years he worked with third world crop production, foreign graduate students and traveled to Indonesia, Burundi and the Philippines.
Bill was known for his sharp intellect and amazing recall of facts. Before the days of Google, he was often consulted by the family as though he was a human encyclopedia. He was also known for his gentle spirit and kind heart. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and rarely complained, even through difficult health problems. He always wore a smile and shared his uplifting sense of humor. For him, on a rainy day, the sun was always shining. He enjoyed family, gardening, board games, movies (especially old musicals). He passed peacefully, while listening to one of favorites songs "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".
Bill and Barbara were active members of the Unitarian Church and he served on numerous committees over the years. In 2003 they moved to Kendal from their longtime residence on Warwick Place. They have greatly enjoyed being part of the community there and have greatly appreciated the support and friendship of the residents and staff. Bill also volunteered on many committees at Kendal offering his leadership and wisdom.
A memorial service will be held on June 18th at 3:00 pm at Kendal of Ithaca, 2230 N. Triphammer Rd. Memorial Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Kendal Rainy Day Fund or the Ithaca Unitarian Church
SERVICES Memorial Service
Saturday, June 18, 2016 3:00 PM
Kendall of Ithaca 2230 N. Triphammer Road Ithaca, New York 14850
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