Dear Colleagues,

It's with a heavy heart that I share news that Anita Oberholster, professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis, passed away on Jan. 11 after a long battle with cancer.

Anita was truly a leader in her field, recognized the world over for her research and extension work in support of the wine industry.  An innovator in addressing the most pressing issues facing California wineries, Anita was perhaps best known for her research on detecting and mitigating smoke taint from wildfires and countering red blotch disease in grapevines.

A native of South Africa, Anita was recognized in 2024 by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson with an American Dream Award for Yolo County, which honors people who have made extraordinary contributions since coming to the U.S.

UC Davis has published an obituary celebrating Anita's remarkable life and career. As her colleagues across UC ANR know well, Anita was not only a brilliant researcher and talented Extension specialist but also a wonderful person. She was an exceptional mentor, educator, communicator and friend. Anita will be tremendously missed by her peers, students, wine industry partners and the broader UC and Davis communities.

I extend my condolences and thoughts to everyone mourning this immense loss. The UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology has set up a tribute page for family and friends to post condolences and well wishes; the department will host a Celebration of Life later this year. In lieu of flowers, Anita's family requests donations in her memory be sent to the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Fund; a UC Davis memorial fund also has been established.

For our UC ANR community members seeking additional support, the Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) is available for cost-free and confidential counseling and referral services.

Glenda Humiston
Vice President