Eric Mussen, 1944-2022
Reservations at the moment are underway for the celebration of life for Dr. Eric Carnes Mussen, an internationally recognized 38-year California Cooperative Extension apiculturist and a useful member of the UC Davis Division of Entomology and Nematology college. He died June 3 of liver most cancers at age 78.
The celebration of life will happen from 4 to six p.m., Sunday, Aug. 28 within the Putah Creek Lodge, UC Davis campus. The deadline for reservations is Aug. 1. RSVP right here: https://ericmussencelebrationofli.rsvpify.com.
“Eric was an enormous within the discipline of apiculture,” mentioned Steve Nadler, professor and chair of the UC Davis Division of Entomology and Nematology. “The affect of his work stretched far past California.”
The occasion will embody audio system, a PowerPoint of photos showcasing his life, a reminiscence desk, songs by the Davis doo wop refrain he belonged to, and lightweight refreshments. The gang, anticipated to fill thePutah Creek Lodge, will embody household and pals; UC Davis college, workers and college students; bee and almond trade colleagues; and his musician pals. For these unable to attend, the occasion will embody a webinar (register right here) produced by UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal of the Division of Molecular and Mobile Biology, a former chair of the Division of Entomology. It additionally will probably be on YouTube.
Dr. Mussen, recognized to all as “Eric,” joined the UC Davis entomology division in 1976. Though he retired in 2014, he continued his many actions till a couple of weeks previous to his demise. For almost 4 a long time, he drew reward as “the honey bee guru,” “the heart beat of the bee trade” and as “the go-to particular person” when customers, scientists, researchers, college students, and the information media sought solutions about honey bees.
Colleagues described Eric as the “premier authority on bees and pollination in California, and one of many high beekeeping authorities nationwide,” “a treasure to the beekeeping trade,” and “a strolling encyclopedia in relation to honey bees.”
When Eric was nominated (and acquired) the 2013-14 Distinguished Service Award for Excellent Extension from the UC Agriculture and Pure Assets (UC ANR), MacArthur Genus Awardee Professor Marla Spivak, Distinguished McKnight College Professor Apiculture/Social Bugs on the College of Minnesota, wrote: “With out query, Eric is the No. 1 Extension particular person coping with honey bees within the nation, if not the world. Analysis colleagues, beekeepers and the general public are all very fortunate to have him.” (See tribute on UC Davis Division of Entomology and Nematology web site.)
In his leisure time, Eric sang doo wop for greater than a decade with a efficiency class taught by Frank Fox of Davis. “The category taught was at all times a efficiency class and culminated in a concert–the Davis Arts Middle Doowop Ensemble was what I referred to as it,” Fox mentioned. “Eric sang bass however usually did leads as nicely.” Amongst Eric’s favorites: “The Duke of Earl,” “Blue Moon, “All I Need to Do is Dream” and “I Perceive Simply How You Really feel.”
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