The St. Helena Star reported today on a sad coincidence for the Napa County viticulture industry. Within the last year, the three men who have held the position of Napa County UC Cooperative Extension viticulture advisor since 1952 passed away.

• Jim Lider, farm advisor from 1952 to 1972, died Nov. 19, 2007
• Keith Bowers, farm advisor from 1972 to 1987, died May 21, 2008
• Ed Weber, farm advisor from 1988 to 2007, died December 31, 2007.

The story focused on the most recent passing, that of Bowers last month. The article noted that Bowers was chosen Farm Advisor of the Year in 1984, when he also was named president of the California Association of Farm Advisors. He co-authored the “Outstanding Paper of the Year” in viticulture for the American Society of Enologists in 1978, with Lider and N. Ferrari.