John C. Palumbo, Renowned Entomologist and American Vegetable Grower Columnist, Passes

One of the top entomologist for vegetable crops in the U.S., Dr. John C. Palumbo, has passed after battling cancer. He was a beloved and trusted fixture in the cool crop centers of Yuma, AZ, and the Central Coast. He was 66.

Most of his career centered around the Yuma desert growing region, the University of Arizona’s research station there, and issues challenging area vegetable growers. Throughout his illustrious career, he accrued several accolades, including having an endowed chair named for him, the John Palumbo Endowed Chair in Integrated Pest Management, Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award from the Yuma County Farm Bureau, and Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension from the Entomological Society of America. More importantly, he had the admiration of his peers, his students, and growers he served through his role as an Extension agent. He co-authored numerous peer reviewed journal articles sharing his research with scientists around the world.

He has also been a trusted columnist for American Vegetable Grower since 2018.

Tributes have been pouring in, honoring Dr. John Palumbo and his impact on the industry.

Matt McGuire, Chief Agricultural Officer, JV Smith Companies

I don’t have any one memory that stands out except when he gave me one of his prized University of Arizona hats and told me to keep sending in my answers to his insect identification challenges. But he didn’t think I’d ever get them right and win one of his hats. I just always enjoyed his lectures and presentations. Besides being informative, they were always enjoyable (not the more usual academic blah blah blah). I spent plenty of time in his small office. He would give me all the time I wanted talking chemicals and bugs answering all my naive questions.

Carol Miller, Lead Editor, American Vegetable Grower

When I began asking around for which entomologist I should ask to write for American Vegetable Grower, just about everyone mentioned John’s name. They warned me he had a full plate and may not be able to help me out. They all wished me good luck. Not only did he quickly accept, despite being recently diagnosed with the disease that would take him from us, he never hesitated to lend advice and insight. On one of my trips to Yuma, He drove me around the entire area, teaching me about how the area, introducing me to growers, and discussed the issues the area’s growers grappled with. This legend with a packed schedule knew how to concentrate fully on whoever stood before him and generously taught you what you needed to know.

The following tributes were sent out via the newsletter Dr. Palumbo founded, Vegetable IPM Updates:

Jeffrey Silvertooth, Professor & Extension Specialist, University of Arizona

John had an outstanding work ethic, he was a man of good character, and his integrity was exceptional. John was a practical realist, and even though we could both see and comment on the imperfections in the world around us, he did not whine or complain about things that could have been better. He was always an optimist, and he did the best with what he had, appreciated his opportunities, and he consistently did a great job with it. He was a model as a professional and as a good person. He had confidence in himself, but he was humble, and he always treated people with respect and dignity. Very importantly, John had a great sense of humor, and I could always count on that with him.

Bindu Poudel-Ward, Extension/Plant Pathology — Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona

I hope you are frolicking in the fields of wildflowers picking the prettiest bugs.

He was my next-door mentor, and I would stop by with questions all the time especially after passing of my predecessor Dr. Matheron. Dr. Palumbo was always there to answer any question, gave me that little boost I needed, a little courage to write that email I needed to write, a rigid answer to stand my ground if needed. And not to mention the plant diagnosis. When the submitted samples did not look like a pathogen, taking samples to his office where he would look for insects with his little handheld lenses was one of my favorite times.

I also got to work with him in couple of projects, and he would tell me “call me John”. Uhh no, that was never going to happen.. until my last interaction with him, I would fluster when I talked to him, I would get nervous to have one of my idols listening to ME? Most times, I would forget what I was going to ask but at the same time be incredibly flabbergasted by the fact that I get to work next to this legend of a man,  and get his opinions about pest management.

Mark C. Siemens, Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Arizona

What I will miss most about John is his presence. Warren Buffet said that a key to becoming a better person was to surround yourself with people that are better than you. In other words, hangout with people who had traits and characteristics that you admire and want to emulate. John was one of those people. He made you want to be a better person.

Macey Keith, Assistant in Extension

Dr. John Palumbo never sought the spotlight, but everything he did—every trial, field visit, and conversation—pointed us toward something better: better science, better decisions, better farming.

I’ve looked up to John since my undergraduate days. He was the model of what I hoped to become: a scientist grounded in integrity, driven by purpose, and deeply connected to the people and land he served.

The work we hoped to do with him is now a reminder of how much he still had to offer. But more than anything, I’m grateful. Grateful that I got to learn from him, talk with him, and be challenged by him. I especially loved when I’d share an idea and he would provide feedback like, “Now I don’t like the sound of that, and I’ll tell you why…” To me that meant he was listening closely. He cared. He was genuine.

John didn’t just give us answers—he gave us perspective and the confidence to ask better questions. His perspective came from a place of hard-earned wisdom which he shared humbly and freely. We’ve lost a giant.

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If you have any fond memories or kind words about John Palumbo, please share them in the comments section below.