Kevin W. Wanner (1967–2024)

KEVIN W. WANNER passed away on 2 January 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. He spent most of his career divided between fundamental and applied research and extension with the mission of transferring science-based information to his stakeholders. His research expanded from chemical trials to wireworm, alfalfa, and pea weevil to molecular methods for detecting pests affecting multiple crops in Montana. He contributed to current management recommendations for all those pests and crops, including cultural practices and best practices for using and rotating insecticide types. He made sure that his students graduated with the necessary skills to be successful in life. I met Kevin over a decade ago at an Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch meeting. We immediately connected and started strategizing about ways to collaborate. Our first collaboration was with click beetles (wireworms). He was passionate about the topic, and with time, Kevin became one of the USA’s leaders in this insect group. Since Kevin was based in Montana, he saw the need for wheat and barley growers to get more science-based information to reduce wireworm damage. Even though working with wireworms was tough, Kevin never stopped pushing the boundaries to find solutions for his producers. With the same spirit, he developed solid alfalfa and pea weevil programs. His last student, Erika Rodbell, studied pesticide resistance in alfalfa weevil and, along with Kevin and researchers from the University of California–Davis, Oregon State University, and others, wrote “Alfalfa Weevil Resistance to Lambda-cyhalothrin in the Western United States.” The work was published in the Journal of Economic Entomology last fall. That research is a testament to Kevin’s passion for crops and insects. Kevin’s influence extended far beyond his research. He was a pillar of support for his colleagues, a guiding light for his students, and a beacon of knowledge for the community. His journey began in British Columbia (BC), Canada, where he earned his B.S. in biology from the University of Victoria (Victoria, BC), his M.S. in pest management at Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC), and his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC) before moving to Champaign-Urbana for a postdoctoral research position at the University of Illinois and then to Bozeman, Montana. He was recently promoted to full professor at Montana State University, where he climbed the ladder from assistant to associate, reaching full professorship in July 2023. Despite all his career achievements, his focus on mentoring students and early-career scientists never wavered. Until his last day, he was devoted to ensuring the well-being of all his students, a testament to his lasting impact on the entomological community. KEVIN WAS NOT JUST A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL, BUT ALSO A WARM, GENTLE, AND HONEST PERSON. Ayax Del Valle Sánchez, a M.S. student in Kevin’s lab, remembers Kevin fondly. “He was a generous mentor, both professionally and personally. He was the kind of person who took pride in caring for his family at all costs. He was fearless, would not doubt himself, and had a very strong character. He loved good food (especially sushi) and sharing a meal or a beer with friends, colleagues, and mentees. He always tried to make one feel included in his family. Despite his achievements, he was incredibly humble and was respectful of everyone and their opinions. He was an active listener and would respond respectfully and patiently. He was very passionate about research, fishing, friends, family, and life.” Kevin was not just a dedicated professional, but also a warm, gentle, and honest person. His love for science was evident in the sparkle in his eyes and the joyous smile that he brought to people’s souls when discussing it. He also cherished his time with his family, often hunting or fishing in rural Montana. His personal qualities made him not just a colleague, but a friend to many. Kevin’s loss has profoundly affected people who had the good fortune to get to know him professionally and personally. His absence is deeply felt in the entomological community, a testament to the depth of his influence. I can still remember our last conversation in person in Corvallis, OR, when he attended one of our pest management summits; I still keep his previous texts full of hope and a positive outlook. He accepted his fate with a degree of grace and acceptance that we can only hope to possess when our time comes. He was a fantastic colleague and mentor who will be much missed. When we lose someone, there is a time of mourning, a time for reassessing priorities, and a time of introspection. Thinking “I wish I would have spent more time doing this or that” has no meaning; our time to be more mindful of balancing job and family is now. My dear friend, until we see each other again …

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