Dr. D. P. "PETE" WEINGARTNER

American Journal of Potato Research, Jan/Feb 2004

Pete Weingartner grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He graduated from Gladstone High School in 1957 and earned degrees at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Dr. Weingartner joined the faculty at the University of Florida, IFAS, Hastings Research and Education Center (then known as the Potato Investigations Laboratory) in May 1969 and served as pathologist/nematologist at the center until its closure in April 2002. He is presently a professor in the UF/IFAS Plant Pathology Department at Gainesville.

Dr. Weingartner developed an extensive research and extension program in potato disease and nematode management. His research emphasized both foliar and soil-borne diseases of potato and included studies on nematodes, corky ringspot, bacterial wilt/brown rot, early dying, early and late blight. Through collaborations with UF/IFAS colleagues, USDA scientists, and others, a truly integrated nematode and soil-borne pathogen management program, encompassing the use of nematicides, cultivar resistance, and environmental conditions, was developed for north Florida potatoes. Average potato yields in the Hastings, FL, area increased by nearly 30% following adoption of these practices by the industry. The Society of Nematologists, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and Florida State Horticultural Society recognized Dr. Weingartner and his colleagues for publications related to this work.

Pete also had active research projects on both potato early and late blight diseases. He developed and field-tested Florida Blitecast, for forecasting blight in the Hastings area. Despite introduction of new strains of blight the system remains reliable for synoptically scheduling initial late blight fungicide sprays. Dr. Weingartner has done extensive field evaluations of late blight resistance in cooperation with Dr. Kathy Haynes and has investigated efficacy of dozens of new fungicide programs for blight control. During 1993 - 2002 he monitored and catalogued genotypes of P. infestons from potato and tomato fields throughout Florida. Dr. Weingartner has published his research in over 300 publications including 11 book chapters and 40 refereed papers and was recently a coeditor of the 2nd edition of the Potato Disease Compendium.

Pete has been active in the PAA since 1973. He has served on numerous PAA committees including Finance, Strategic Planning, Site selection, and others. He was LAC and Symposium chair for the 2001 Florida PAA meetings. He has held all PAA offices and served as President in 1996-997. He has also has participated in other potato groups including the NPC Seed Potato Seminar and the Snack Food Association meetings both as an attendee and speaker. He organized and secured funding for the late blight workshop held in conjunction with the 1993 Seed Seminar.

Dr. Weingartner has been active in his St. Augustine, FL, community including serving seven years on the St. Johns County School Advisory Committee and 16 years on the County School Board. He has been a frequent science fair mentor and judge. He serves on his church Finance Committee and is a regular cook at church functions. His hobbies include cooking, fishing, and gardening. Pete has been married for 39 years to his supportive wife Sharon. The Weingartners have two daughters Kris (McManama) and Lorin (McDade) and three grandbabies...Kayla, Cole, and Megan.