The turf world lost a giant in the field of academia and research late last week with the passing of Tom Watschke.
A native of Charles City, Iowa, Watschke was 76.
He was remembered by colleagues and former students as a great teacher and research scientist who was devoted to his students and his trade.
"Tom was an outstanding turfgrass scientist and educator; he was also a good friend and colleague" said Al Turgeon, Ph.D., professor emeritus at Penn State. "He will certainly be missed by so many who benefitted from their association with him. I am deeply saddened by his loss."
Darin Bevard earned a master's degree at Penn State in 1994 before starting a 23-year career with the USGA Green Section, where he is director of championship agronomy.
"I will first remember him for the friendship that we developed over the years after I departed Penn State," Bevard said. "We had a lot of fun fishing and solving the world's problems over a couple of beers. Second, I will remember the huge impact that he had on my life and my career. He was one of my primary mentors. Perhaps he saw potential in me that I did not, or at least had the wherewithal to get me to realize it."
Watschke earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Iowa State University and his master's degree and doctorate from Virginia Tech. He joined Penn State's turfgrass program in 1970.
Throughout his career at Penn State, Tom coordinated the undergraduate turfgrass program and advised all the students majoring in turfgrass science. In addition to resident instruction and research, he taught several online courses through PSU's World Campus.
Watschke's research centered on plant growth regulators and herbicides. Some of his most important work focused on the positive influence of turfgrass on mitigating the movement of fertilizers and pesticides in waterways.
He is part of a team who have placed countless graduates into the field of professional turf management.
Many of Watschke's former students and colleagues took to social media to remember their friend and mentor.
Leah Brilman, Ph.D., of DLF Pickseed wrote: "Dr. Watschke was a kind person but more than anything a dedicated teacher. Success of many PSU alums is probably due to him."
Said Kevin Hicks, regional agronomist for EarthWorks: "He could be so intimidating in class, but you always knew he wanted you to learn. I had the opportunity (to) reconnect w/him years later when he reached out to me at the CDA Resort. He brought his son & grandson for a tour. Totally different person outside of the class. RIP Doc."
Terry Laurent, former superintendent at Saucon Valley and co-owner of Cross Creek Golf Club in Decatur, Indiana said: "So sad to hear this! Great teacher, mentor and friend ... loved his classes! RIP And prayers for the family!"
He also was remembered for loyalty to friends and family and his sense of humor.
"One of the funniest things that I remember was advice that he gave me during my time in graduate school," Bevard said. "I remember him walking out onto my research plots and saying 'Hey, Bevard, come here, I need to tell you something.' He proceeded to tell me that the liver is an organ not a muscle. Thus I did not need to 'exercise' it every day. I laugh about that to this day when I think of Tom. He was just a great individual and enjoyed teaching so many of us about turfgrass and life at a time when most of us could use a little education on both."
Survivors include his wife, Christa, and daughters, Katelyn and Madison, son, Jon (Kim) Watschke, brothers, Doug (Ginny) Watschke and Gary (Nancy) Watschke, sister, Colleen (Bruce) Copper, stepmother, Bette Gullickson, grandchildren Micah, Sierra and Sawyer, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
To honor Watschke's legacy, his family has arranged for donations in his honor to be made to Penn State's Turfgrass Program in the College of Agricultural Sciences.