Professor John Donald "Don" Paschke

Professor Emeritus John Donald "Don" Paschke, 85, of Bloomington, IN, died peacefully at his home on October 13, 2011. Born November 6, 1925 in Upland California to John and Ernstiene Paschke, he graduated from Ontario High School in 1944. Don was a WW ll US Navy veteran, serving from 1944-1946, stationed in Saipan M.I. Following his discharge, he enrolled at the UC- Berkeley, and received both his B.S. (1950) and Ph.D. (1958), majoring in Entomology. While he lived the remainder of his life in the Midwest, he was always proud of his Californian roots and education. In 1960, he joined the Entomology faculty at Purdue University where he spent the next 32 years doing research, teaching, and administration of international agricultural research projects in Western Africa, the Congo and the Sahel. His research focused on the biological and microbial control of pests, and in 1968, he accepted a position of visiting professor at St. Cross College, Oxford U.K. He used these experiences a decade later to get Purdue involved in the new A.I.D. Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP). This program links US scientists with developing countries to help farmers increase incomes and alleviate hunger without depleting their natural resource base. In 1979, Don led an initiative to create a unique Integrated Crop Protection CRSP, creating a culture of appreciation for international activities that Purdue continues today. He was a skilled collaborator, bringing balance, logic, and humor to his oversees projects. In addition to his academic pursuits, he served as a mentor and friend to many graduate students. Don loved the outdoors, gardening, boating, and fishing. He was an avid reader, enjoyed current affairs and politics, and loved Big Band music and jazz. He especially enjoyed family summers spent on Lake Cumberland and Lake Michigan. He was an adventurer, and his love of travel gave him the confidence in 1968 to take the sabbatical, moving his new wife Susan, and blended family of 5 children to Eynsham England, a small village outside of Oxford - an incredible experience and cherished memory for all - except for youngest son Michael, who was born just two months after the family's return to the states. Don will be dearly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Susan (Sovereign), and daughters Liz Grenat ( husband Bruce Rambo) of Bloomington and Sarah Martin(husband Nick ) of Carmel, IN; sons Michael Paschke (wife Virginia) of Indianapolis and David Paschke (wife Angela) of Lafayette IN; granddaughters Sarah Grenat Cowley (and husband Travis) and Sophia Paschke; grandsons Stephen Paschke, Joe Grenat, Michael Paschke, Jonathon Paschke, Ky Burns (wife Anna) , Adam Pacific , Curtis Pacific, and great-grandson, Kyran Burns. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Ernestine Reedy, first wife, Alice A. Paschke, and sons, John E. Paschke and Stephen K. Johnson. Family and friends of Don are invited to share memories at a gathering on Saturday, November 19, 2PM in the Terrace Room, Meadowood Retirement Community 2455 Tamarack Trail, Bloomington IN. Allen Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Friends can send condolences to www.allenfuneralhome.org

Tributes

Professor John Donald "Don" Paschke

November 6, 1925 - October 13, 2011