Remembering Professor Don Wyse

July 3, 2024

Don Wyse, faculty member for 50 years, died on Tuesday.

A photo of Don Wyse in a field

Professor Don Wyse, faculty member in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics and co-director of the Forever Green Initiative, passed away peacefully yesterday with his family at his side. Over the weekend, Don took a fall and suffered injuries from which he could not recover. The news was shared with the CFANS community by Dean Buhr by email on Tuesday morning.

An icon of the Forever Green Initiative, Don pursued a vast body of work, including the management of invasive weeds, diversification of cropping systems, renewable energy systems, and the selection and breeding of winter annual and perennial crops. In 2022, the New York Times recognized him as a visionary in an article titled “Donald Wyse is Growing a New Future for Farming.”

"His work will benefit generations to come and for that we will be forever grateful," said Dean Buhr. Don's family has shared his obituary:

Celebration of Life

A celebration of life for Professor Don Wyse is planned for Friday, July 26 at 2 p.m. at McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota. The service will begin at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Dr. Donald Wyse Memorial Scholarship Fund.

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