Mai

William (Bill) F. Mai, Cornell Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor Emeritus and professor of plant pathology, died Aug. 15 in Ithaca.

Mai, who joined the Cornell faculty in 1939 and retired in 1985, authored about 300 scientific papers and served as chair of the Department of Plant Pathology for two years as an emeritus professor. Mai was a member of many honorary societies and received many awards. He taught, carried out extension activities, advised graduate students and conducted field, glasshouse and laboratory research. His book, "Plant-Parasitic Nematodes: A Pictorial Key to Genera," is now in its fifth edition and is still being used as a teaching aid in all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

Born in a remote farmhouse in Greenwood, Del., July 23, 1916, Mai earned his B.S. in agricultural education from the University of Delaware and Ph.D. in plant pathology from Cornell. He was a Cornell sports enthusiast and rarely missed any home Cornell football game, despite the weather.

A memorial service was held Aug. 16 at Anabel Taylor Chapel at Cornell.