Bernadine’s Berry Crops Program at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center was highly productive and visible both nationally and internationally.
She was a member of several professional societies and a recipient of multiple prestigious awards. She was revered and loved by her peers, associates, and stakeholders for her leadership qualities, contributions to the berry industry, and her nurturing and caring personality. Dr. Strik’s legacy not only continues through her research and mentorship but also in many hearts she touched in her short but impactful life. Let's hear from some of them.
Photo by Ted Mackey, USDA-ARS
“I had the privilege of working with her as a research assistant from 2013 to her retirement at the end of 2021. Bernadine always loved to get her hands dirty and participate in field work, and you can tell by the smile on her face that she truly enjoyed that part of the research. She was an inspiration as a mentor and researcher, and role model as a mother and friend.”
Amanda Davis, Senior Faculty Research Assistant II — Berry Crops, OSU’s North Willamette Research & Extension Center
Photo by Amanda Davis, OSU
“I started working with Bernadine 20 years ago, and together, we published nearly 40 scientific journal articles – and counting – on production and physiology of berry crops. Bernadine was a titan in the berry industry and one of the all-time leading researchers on developing better management practices for small fruit crops, including blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and hardy kiwi. She had more knowledge about each of these crops than any person I ever met. Bernadine was also extremely generous, providing tremendous help and support to me and many of my students over the years. One of my former students, David Leon, said that just last weekend he was telling his colleagues how wonderful she was and how much she inspired him. Another former student, Joy Yang, said that she will miss her knowledge, hard work, kindness, and humor. Bernadine was truly inspiring and encouraged us to work harder and achieve more in our research than we ever could otherwise.
David Bryla, USDA Research Horticulturist in Corvallis, OR, home to OSU
Photo by Amanda Davis, OSU
“Bernadine was an amazing person and a tremendous source of inspiration for me as well as others that had the fortune to meet her. She was incredibly knowledgeable, spirited, supportive of all those around her, and created an internationally renowned program dedicated towards advancing berry horticulture and production. She knew how to be serious but was also the life of a party. Her passing is a great loss to the berry community. However, her life was exemplary in every regard, and we should continue to draw inspiration from this outstanding woman.”
Lisa Wasko DeVetter, Associate Professor, Small Fruit Horticulture, Washington State University
Photo by Amanda Davis, OSU
“Dr. Bernadine Strik was a great collaborator, she worked closely with the
berry breeder Dr. (Chad) Finn at the USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Unit in a cooperative USDA-ARS/OSU berry breeding program. This team effort was very productive and benefited the industry as there was information on how best to grow each cultivar at the time it was released (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries). Bernadine pioneered work on organic production of berry crops, especially blueberries. Her research on blueberries has changed how blueberries are grown in the Pacific Northwest and beyond (planting density, fertilization, mulching, pruning). Bernadine was recognized worldwide for her expertise in berry horticulture, and she traveled widely to provide information on how to grow berry crops at scientific meetings but also for growers. Bernadine’s enthusiasm extended to her mentoring of graduate students and many of those students developed a similar enthusiasm for their work. She organized several international and national meetings and when she ran a meeting, one quickly learned that you didn’t speak beyond your allotted time. She will be greatly missed by many.”
Robert Martin, USDA-ARS Research Plant Pathologist
Photo by Amanda Davis, OSU
“There was never anyone that I met that had the understanding of small fruit plants and their physiology and cultural management that Dr. Bernadine Strik commanded. She was the best. What an impact she made, and a tremendous life she lived.”
John Clark, University of Arkansas Emeritus
High praise from Clark, who spent 42 years working at the University of Arkansas and developed many popular berry varieties himself. He continues to write a column for
American Fruit Grower and
GrowingProduce.com, and wrote one dedicated to Bernadine upon her retirement headlined
“Career Well Done: Taking a Moment to Honor a Berry Genius.” He noted she and
Dr. Chad Finn, a longtime USDA Berry Researcher/Breeder made an outstanding team, and that after Finn’s tragic death she later received the Chad Finn Award from the American Pomological Society. Clark closes the column: “Dr. Bernadine Strik, the ultimate berry professional, friend, and legend.”
Photo by Ted Mackey, USDA-ARS
Oregon State University’s Dr. Bernadine Strik, who had a deep impact on the berry industry in any number of roles – breeder, researcher, and teacher – passed away April 14, leaving a lasting legacy of accomplishment.
According to her obituary, Bernadine was born on April 29, 1962 in Holland, and is survived by her husband, Neil Bell, daughters Shannon and Nicole Bell, and her parents, Gerald and Christine Strik.
The news of her death sent shockwaves across the industry, as she just retired two years ago after at an illustrious 34 years at Oregon State University. How many people are described by colleagues – in this case the same colleague (see slideshow above) – as both and having “created an internationally renowned program” and was often “the life of a party?” That’s Bernadine Strik, whose colleagues were eager to share their thoughts on her personally and what she meant to the berry industry. Before that, let’s look at a quick list of her impressive accomplishments.
Dr. Strik co-released 38 berry cultivars, authored/co-authored 150 scientific journal articles, 71 Extension publications, 39 proceedings papers, and 24 book chapters, taught three undergraduate and two graduate courses, and advised 21 graduate students during her academic career.
Scroll through the slideshow above to see thoughts from her colleagues. If you share want to share your own thoughts about Bernadine, please leave a reader comment below.