In Memoriam: Tom Gordon

Dr. Thomas R. Gordon, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Davis, died after an extended illness on June 27, 2021.  Tom was born on January 30, 1951, in Los Angeles, California to Hugh and Virginia Gordon.  He was raised in Los Angeles and graduated from California State University – Northridge with degrees in Biology (B.S., 1974) and Botany (M.S., 1976). He received a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology in 1981 from UC Davis, where John Duniway mentored his doctoral research. He subsequently served as a postdoctoral researcher with Robert Webster at UC Davis, and then joined the UC Berkeley Plant Pathology Department in 1985 as an assistant professor. Following the college reorganization at Berkeley, Tom transferred to the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Davis in 1996, where he continued development of distinguished programs in teaching, research, administration, and service. 

Tom’s research focused on plant pathogenic fungi.  His more than 160 publications reveal the exceptional quality and depth of his research, providing information germane to disease management while contributing to fundamental principles of plant pathology.  He had a long-standing program on pitch canker of Monterey pine, caused by Fusarium circinatum, as well as projects on wilt diseases caused by Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae.  He was recognized nationally and internationally as an authority on these diseases and was especially regarded in the Fusarium research community.  Dr. Gordon’s leadership and international collaborations contributed to making pitch canker an important model for exotic pathogens.  The breadth of research topics associated with his lab included pathogen genetics and genomics, insect vectors, disease management, ecological implications of natural plant defenses, and many more. Especially noteworthy was his demonstration of systemic induced resistance (SIR), a first for a disease in a tree species, and the first documentation that SIR occurs in any plant species under natural conditions. Tom and his colleagues also made important contributions to the biology and management of vascular wilt diseases in lettuce and strawberry, resulting in the development and deployment of disease resistant cultivars and information that filled gaps on disease etiology.  His ability to address fundamental questions and connect that information to production systems, and in a way accessible to stakeholder audiences, attested to his intellect, creativity and deep understanding of plant pathology principles.  He mentored many students and postdocs who have gone on to have productive careers. 

Tom’s ability to share his knowledge also was reflected in his extraordinary contributions to plant pathology and mycology education.  He was an innovative and popular teacher, and his classes reached diverse undergraduate and graduate student audiences.  His “signature” course, Mushrooms, Molds and Society (Science and Society 30) was an undergraduate general education class that introduced fungi and their societal roles, and eventually grew to over 500 students per offering, along with smaller honors sections to further explore lecture concepts. The high regard students had for Tom was reflected in his stellar teaching evaluations and, in one offering, the applause he received as he entered the lecture hall on the first day of class. He was accessible to his students, and many undergraduates had an opportunity to work in his lab to gain hands-on scientific experience and stimulate their curiosity. In 2013, he was awarded the UC Davis Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award for Undergraduate Education, one of the most prestigious campus awards.

Tom often used alternative media to promote plant pathology, as well as bring good cheer to the department at various gatherings. His video, “The role of recognition in host‐parasite interaction”, illustrated central concepts in plant pathology, and received the 2010 Judge's Choice Award from American Phytopathological Society (APS) and a first prize in the international competition sponsored by Chlorofilms of the American Society of Plant Biologists.  The film exemplifies his philosophy that analogies and humor can render otherwise obscure concepts interesting and easy to understand.  Other videos Tom produced combined humor, often with playful critique of campus politics or other current events.

Throughout his career, Tom was deeply committed to the department, university, the agricultural industry and his profession. He served as an unselfish and extremely effective Chair of the Plant Pathology Department for eight years. He was remarkable in steering the department to meet new challenges in research, teaching and outreach.  He worked tirelessly to build an interactive, collegial atmosphere within the Department while improving infrastructure, personnel, resources, and teaching.  He was a leading force to double the department’s engagement in undergraduate instruction, and contributed to numerous Department, College, University, and statewide committees. He was awarded APS fellow in 2014 in recognition of his accomplishments in research, teaching and service.

Tom retired in 2019 and continued to remain active in research and writing papers until shortly before his death. He was very private about his illness and upon learning the news of his death, there was shock and an immediate outpouring from many of his colleagues who shared remembrances by email and other means.  Tom was a beloved professor and colleague, and many spoke of his brilliance, creativity, and humor, and his thoughtful and caring manner.  Tom was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Beverly McFarland (Ph.D., UC Davis, 1981), who passed away in 2017.  He is survived by his son, Steven, his sisters Julie Monson and Beatrice Reay, and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of Tom’s life and career was held at UC Davis on July 24, 2021.

Written by Richard M. Bostock, Cassandra Swett, and David M. Rizzo
August 10, 2021