By:
Tom Nordlie (352) 392-0400Source(s):
Jimmy Cheek jgcheek@ufl.edu, 352-392-1971, http://vp.ifas.ufl.edu/
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Internationally known soil researcher James M. Davidson, the University of Florida’s vice president for agriculture and natural resources from 1992 to 1998, died Tuesday, Sept. 26 at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville, after a long illness. He was 72.
To honor Davidson, a Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at the University City Church of Christ, 4626 NW 8th Ave., Gainesville, Fla. Officiating will be Steve Williams, former minister of University City Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Florida Foundation, P.O. Box 110170, Gainesville, Fla. 32611, to support the Davidson Graduate Student Travel Scholarship Fund. Established by James and Peg Davidson, the fund helps defray travel expenses for College of Agricultural and Life Sciences graduate students presenting scientific papers at national and international professional meetings and conferences.
As vice president, Davidson was administrative head of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, or UF/IFAS, overseeing statewide research and extension programs, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and select programs in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Davidson, who retired in January 1998, was also a professor emeritus with the soil and water science department. He first came to UF in 1972 as a visiting associate professor, and joined the UF faculty in 1974 as a professor.
Jimmy Cheek, UF’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said Davidson was admired as much for his personality as his administrative skill. Cheek was an assistant dean in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences from 1992 to 1999.
“Jim was not only the vice president; he was head of the IFAS family,” Cheek said. “He made us all feel like we were part of the family. When he retired, he became more like a grandfather, sharing his wisdom, providing encouragement, and continuing his support of IFAS and the individuals and interests we serve.
“He was adored by his friends for his strength of character, sense of humor, mentorship, love of family, dedication to his job and his ability to balance them all.”
Richard Jones, UF/IFAS dean for research from 1995 to 2004, called Davidson an outstanding leader, whose planning skills set the direction for UF/IFAS in the mid- to late 1990s.
“He had a strong rapport with the clientele throughout the state of Florida, whose respect he had earned over a career in several administrative positions in IFAS,” Jones said. “The agriculture and natural resources industries of the state owe him a debt of gratitude for his leadership, and he will be sincerely missed by us all.”
A native of Oregon, Davidson earned a bachelor’s degree in soil science at Oregon State University in 1956 and a master’s degree in soil physics from the institution in 1958. He earned a Ph.D. in soil physics from the University of California, Davis in 1965.
From 1965 to 1974 he was a faculty member with Oklahoma State University’s agronomy department. He was a visiting associate professor at UF in 1972 and 1973, and became a permanent faculty member in 1974.
Davidson’s research focused on the movement of pesticides and other organic materials through soil. From 1976 to 1979 he led a team of 20 UF scientists studying health risks associated with land application of sewage sludge. The project was funded by a $1.15 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the largest grant UF/IFAS had received at that time.
He received numerous distinctions, including appointments on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Academy of Science committees investigating groundwater quality. He was a fellow in both the Soil Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy, and a member of the board of directors of IMC Global Inc., one of the world’s largest fertilizer manufacturers.
Davidson was UF/IFAS assistant dean for research from 1979 to 1986, and dean for research from 1986 to 1992. He served as interim vice president for agriculture and natural resources in January 1992 and was named to the permanent position in September.
Though he originally planned to retire in 1999, Davidson resigned his post one year early, to enable his successor to be better involved in upcoming fundraising and planning efforts. In 1998, Progressive Farmer magazine named Davidson Man of the Year in Service to Florida Agriculture.
After his retirement, Davidson and his wife, Peg, remained in Gainesville. He continued to participate in UF/IFAS activities.
Accolades for Davidson continued also; in 2005 he was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame. In 2006 he was presented with the E.T. York Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the people of Florida through UF’s agriculture and natural resources programs.
Davidson is survived by his wife, Peg; his mother, Kathryn Davidson; his father-in-law, Maurice Tewinkel; a sister, Kathy Altig; a brother, Ed Davidson; three daughters and sons-in-law, David and Debbie Burden, Sam and Jodi Bates, and Ray and Michelle Crowder; and seven grandchildren, Melissa and Natalie Burden, Trevor, Maggie and Emma Bates, and Ryan and Lindsay Crowder.
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