Obituary

Michael G. Villani, 48, of Geneva, Cornell professor of entomology at the university's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, died May 15 at his home following a lengthy illness.

"We have lost not only a remarkable scientist but one of the finest human beings I've ever had the pleasure of knowing," said Wendell Roelofs, chair of the Geneva Experiment Station's Department of Entomology. "He was revered by his co-workers, admired by fellow scientists throughout the world, adored by his many undergraduate and graduate students whom he taught, and loved and respected by all. He lived much too short a time, but while with us, he made contributions to science and society that will last forever."

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Villani received his bachelor of arts degree from the State University of New York-Stony Brook in 1979 and his doctorate in entomology North Carolina State University-Raleigh in 1984.

He came to the Geneva Experiment Station in 1985 as an assistant professor of entomology, was promoted to associate professor in 1991 and to full professor in 1999. His specialty was soil and turf insect ecology.

Villani's principal professional interests scientifically were in the area of the interrelationships between turfgrass insects and the soil environment. His projects on soil insects placed Geneva in the worldwide limelight as the center of excellence for this type of research.

During his career, Villani received numerous awards and honors, including, recently, the Outstanding Service Award from the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina in January 2001, a Citation of Merit (the highest award) from the New York State Turfgrass Association in 1999, the National Recognition Award in Urban Entomology from the Entomological Society of America in 1997 and the Distinguished Achievement Award in Urban Entomology from the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society.

He was co-editor of Environmental Entomology and served on numerous committees, both within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell and nationally.

He is survived by his wife, Connie; two daughters, Sara and Kate; his parents, Salvatore and Concetta Villani; a sister; two brothers; a niece, nephews and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service was held June 3 at the Geneva Experiment Station. Memorial contributions in Villani's name can be made to: Geneva High School, girls' soccer and softball programs; Mike Villani Graduate Student Research Fund in Entomology (checks made out to Cornell University and mailed to The Mike Villani Fund, Cornell University, Development Office, 272 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853); or to the Finger Lakes Community Cancer Center.