Larry Gut, BMSB-SCRI co-PD, Passes Away

We regret to announce the passing of Larry Gut on September 6, 2021. Larry was a Professor of Entomology at Michigan State University and served as a co-PD of the BMSB SCRI project, leading the program in the Great Lakes Region since 2016. He was a world authority in integrated pest management of tree fruits, especially in the area of mating disruption.

Peter McGhee, a stakeholder advisory panel member of the BMSB project and former graduate student of Larry’s, eloquently captured the personal side of Larry in his tribute below.

To the many friends of Larry Gut,

We lost a very good friend today. Larry passed away at home in Wenatchee, WA, with his family by his side this morning. His sister, Toni Sierra, said he died peacefully. Larry had stomach cancer for the past year+ and underwent many procedures including surgery, chemo, and radiation. These treatments extended his time with us, but ultimately he could not be cured. Larry, had a generous heart and happy attitude. After working with him side-by-side for 17 years I can say he wanted the best for everyone he met. Larry was quick to host a party or join in one anytime and liked being surrounded by family and friends old and new. He raised an entire entomology family including undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate and even the many non-entomology majors working in his lab. He touched all of us on this list and many more. Larry loved to golf, collect stamps, drink wine, travel, watch MSU football (he did watch MSU trounce Northwestern a few nights ago!) and basketball, help fruit growers, and share his knowledge of IPM and pheromone mating disruption. We are all less without him in our lives, but that much richer for having known him. The family asks for time before calls or visits. I will pass along any information that I learn in the future.

I am sorry to bring you this sad news, but go forward today, this week, and year and remember his smile and laughter.