2008 Woodie Awards
Entomologist's sudden death stuns department
Adam Bloom
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News
Robert Denno, a world-renowned professor in the university's entomology department, died at the age of 62 on Saturday.
Denno, known by many as the backbone of his department, died of a sudden heart attack while conducting entomology field research at Sapelo Island, Ga. An energetic and brilliant man known for his "Dennoisms," his passion was his field and his students, his colleagues and friends said.
Thanks to Denno's work over the past three decades, the university has risen to national prominence as a public research facility, colleagues added.
"He was the single strongest influence in making the university what it is today," said Charles Mitter, chair of the entomology department. Through his charisma, energy and commitment to entomology and science in its purity, Denno "exemplified how the university has risen in stature to become an outstanding university with higher standards of excellence," Mitter added.
Biology professor David Inouye said Denno's outstanding work as a researcher helped him obtain substantial funding from the National Science Foundation for graduate and undergraduate research at the university, specifically in biology, ecology and entomology.
Denno was also known internationally. He wrote countless articles for science journals and, before his death, was working on editing the widely used textbook Insect Ecology with famous ecologist Peter Price. Denno was invited to speak at symposia all over the world, ranging from Sweden to the Phillippines, mainly because he was "without a doubt one of the greatest entomologists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists there were," said Douglas Gill, a biology professor and close friend of Denno for over 30 years.
"[He was] a star whose cheerful brilliance will be greatly missed by all who knew him," Gill added.
But what made him more than just a successful scientist was his energy, curiosity and thoughtful demeanor, friends said. He was often seen running through the halls of the Plant Sciences building, going from room to room, meeting strangers and greeting his fellow faculty members with a hearty handshake and a "Hey, dude!" said longtime colleague and professor emeritus Galen Dively.
Denno, known by many as the backbone of his department, died of a sudden heart attack while conducting entomology field research at Sapelo Island, Ga. An energetic and brilliant man known for his "Dennoisms," his passion was his field and his students, his colleagues and friends said.
Thanks to Denno's work over the past three decades, the university has risen to national prominence as a public research facility, colleagues added.
"He was the single strongest influence in making the university what it is today," said Charles Mitter, chair of the entomology department. Through his charisma, energy and commitment to entomology and science in its purity, Denno "exemplified how the university has risen in stature to become an outstanding university with higher standards of excellence," Mitter added.
Biology professor David Inouye said Denno's outstanding work as a researcher helped him obtain substantial funding from the National Science Foundation for graduate and undergraduate research at the university, specifically in biology, ecology and entomology.
Denno was also known internationally. He wrote countless articles for science journals and, before his death, was working on editing the widely used textbook Insect Ecology with famous ecologist Peter Price. Denno was invited to speak at symposia all over the world, ranging from Sweden to the Phillippines, mainly because he was "without a doubt one of the greatest entomologists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists there were," said Douglas Gill, a biology professor and close friend of Denno for over 30 years.
"[He was] a star whose cheerful brilliance will be greatly missed by all who knew him," Gill added.
But what made him more than just a successful scientist was his energy, curiosity and thoughtful demeanor, friends said. He was often seen running through the halls of the Plant Sciences building, going from room to room, meeting strangers and greeting his fellow faculty members with a hearty handshake and a "Hey, dude!" said longtime colleague and professor emeritus Galen Dively.
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james gray
posted 3/26/08 @ 6:18 PM EST
Thia is pretty significant
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