Posted: August 20, 2021

Herbert Cole, Jr., professor emeritus in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, died on August 19 at the age of 88.

Herbert Cole, Jr., professor emeritus of plant pathology, died August 19 at the age of 88.

Born on March 29, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY, to Herbert Cole Sr. and Berdie (Kunsman) Cole. He is survived by his wife, April (Stover) Cole.

Also surviving are children Herbert W. Cole (Marion), Susan Bowers (Randal) and Patricia Bittner (Michael); stepchildren Jacquelyn Vok (Mark), Christopher Corman, Heather Smith (Bill), Grant Corman (Natalie); brother Charles Cole (Wanda), nieces and numerous grandchildren. 

Cole received his bachelor’s (1954), master’s (1955) and doctorate (1957) degrees from Penn State.

He was a research assistant from 1954 to 1957, extensions specialist and assistant professor from 1957 to 1962, associate professor from 1962 to 1969 and a professor of plant pathology from 1969 until he retired in 2005. Cole was a senior member of graduate faculty from 1966 to 2005.

Cole was involved in several committees for the department, college and University. He was also a member of many honorary, professional and technical societies, as well as numerous state and national agencies.

He participated in over 120 meetings, symposia, seminars and. Conferences as an invited lecturer between 1976 and 1984. Cole advised over 60 graduate students and was chair and thesis advisor for 26 graduate students from 1970 to 1984.

In 1983, Cole was chair of a task group in the College of Agricultural Sciences which developed programs in research, teaching and extension in small scale agriculture.