Lee Schisler, professor emeritus of plant pathology, dies at 93

Lee Schisler, professor emeritus in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, died on October 27 at the age of 93.

Born in 1928 in Northampton, PA, to the late Albert F. Schisler and Ruthe E. Schisler (Young). He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Lois G. Schisler, who passed away on January 5, 2018, and brother Albert Schisler.

He is survived by his sons Lee Schisler Jr. of Warriors Mark, PA, and David Schisler (Carolyn Tidball) of Peoria, IL, and grandchildren Andrew and Natalie Schisler.

Schisler received his bachelor’s (1950), master’s (1952) and doctorate (1957) degrees from Penn State.

Upon completing his master’s, he worked as an agricultural chemicals researcher for the American Chemical Paint Co. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps from 1952 to 1954 before returning to Penn State to earn his doctorate in botany and plant pathology. In 1956 he worked as a research director for butler County Mushroom Farm, Inc. until 1964, when he returned to Penn State as an associate research professor. Cole was the director of the Mushroom Research Center at the University from 1968-1988. He became a professor in 1970 and retired as professor emeritus in December of 1988. 

Schisler was involved in several extension and continuing education activities, including service to the commercial cultivated mushroom industry. 

He chaired eight graduate student advisory committees and was a member on 46.

He was involved in several committees for the department, college and University. He was also a member of many honorary and professional societies.

Schisler received numerous awards and honors and was an invited lecturer for more than 20 meetings, short courses and conferences.