In Memoriam

Thomas L. Watschke

Thomas L. Watschke, PhD, 76, of State College, passed away peacefully November 18, 2020 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. He is survived by his wife, Christa, daughters Katelyn and Madison, his son Jon, and three grandchildren. Tom was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in State College.

Born April 12, 1944 in Charles City, Iowa, Dr. Watschke received his BS from Iowa State University and his MS and PhD in Agronomy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Upon graduation in 1970, Tom moved to Penn State University to join the Crop and Soil Sciences Dept. Throughout his career at Penn State, Tom coordinated the undergraduate turfgrass science program and advised all students in that major. He also designed and taught several online courses through PSU’s World Campus.

His primary research focused on the use of plant growth regulators and herbicides for use in turfgrass systems. His most influential studies revealed the positive influence of turfgrass on mitigating the movement of fertilizers and pesticides into waterways. Other research areas included turfgrass physiology, turfgrass establishment methodology, and the evaluation of bio-stimulants. His environmental research supported the golf course turfgrass industry in several court cases. He retired from PSU in 2005 as Professor Emeritus, but continued consulting at many golf courses around the world where he enjoyed collaborating with former students and witnessing their success. Outside of his professional passions, Tom enjoyed spending time with family and friends, fishing, golf, watching all sports and traveling to warm climates. Anyone who interacted with Tom, both personally and professionally knew him to be a kind and caring individual. His magnetic personality lit up countless rooms.

Donald Van Pelt Waddington

Donald Van Pelt Waddington, PhD, 89, of Boalsburg, died peacefully January 1, 2021. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Caroline Wicker Waddington. He is survived by six children, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. He was a member of State College Presbyterian Church since 1965.

Born Dec. 31, 1931 in Norristown, PA, Dr. Waddington earned his BS from Penn State in 1953. After serving the US Army in the Korean War, Dr. Waddington earned his MS from Rutgers and PhD from the University of Massachusetts in 1960 and 1964, respectively. He began teaching at Penn State in 1965 and retired in 1991 as Emeritus Professor of Soil Science.

Meanwhile, his research focused on soil amendment, nutrient availability and uptake, soil test calibration, nitrogen source evaluation, and surface characteristics of athletic fields. He and the late Dr. “Jack” Harper, Penn State Extension Specialist, collaborated on groundbreaking studies related to safety and playability of field surfaces. His research facilitated development of athletic field safety and performance standards currently employed by the National Football League. Dr. Waddington received the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council’s Distinguished Service Award, and the Sports Turf Managers Association’s Dr. William H. Daniel Award. Dr. Waddington taught more than 1,100 students in the two-year turf management, four-year undergraduate, and graduate programs. The Keystone Athletic Field Managers Organization established an annual scholarship to honor his contributions along with those of Dr. Jack Harper, called the Waddington/ Harper Scholarship.