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In memoriam: Eric Mussen
Eric C. Mussen, emeritus UC Cooperative Extension apiculturist, died June 3 after being diagnosed with liver cancer on May 31. He was 78.
For nearly four decades, Mussen drew praise as “the honey bee guru,” “the pulse of the bee industry” and “the go-to person” when consumers, scientists, researchers, students, and the news media sought answers about honey bees. He worked with growers, consumers, UCCE farm advisors, agricultural commissioners, scientists, beekeepers, researchers, pesticide regulators, 4-H'ers, and state and national agricultural and apicultural organizations. Often interviewed in the national news media, Mussen gained state, national and international stature for his expertise on bees and his skills as a science communicator.
Mussen joined the UC Davis Department of Entomology in 1976 and retired in 2014. But he never really retired. He kept busy during his retirement years with his various projects, including serving as the 2017 president of the Western Apicultural Society for the 40th anniversary conference at UC Davis.
“Eric was a giant in the field of apiculture,” said Steve Nadler, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. “The impact of his work stretched far beyond California.”
Over his career, Mussen received numerous awards, including the 2006 California Beekeeper of the Year award, the American Association of Professional Apiculturists' 2007 Award of Excellence in Extension Apiculture, the 2008 Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension from the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America, the 2010 statewide Pedro Ilic Outstanding Agricultural Educator, and was a member of the UC Davis Bee Team that won the 2013 team award from the Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society of America.
He also received UC ANR's 2013-14 Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Extension and the 2013 Alexander Hodson Graduate Alumni Award from his alma mater, the University of Minnesota.
A celebration of life for Mussen is planned from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 28 in the Putah Creek Lodge, UC Davis campus.
Read tributes from colleagues, bee breeders and beekeepers on the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology website at https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=52399.
