Dr. Bobby C. Pass (deceased 12 December 2001), a professor at the University of Kentucky (UK), was elected as Fellow in 1990. He was nationally known and recognized for his research on integrated pest management (IPM), for his leadership roles at UK and many other regional and national organizations, and for his dedication to entomology.
Dr. Pass was born in Blount County, Alabama in 1931. He held various jobs as a young adult, including farmer, carpenter, and he worked at a country store, a service station, and a pipe and foundry company. He also served in the U.S. Army. He attended Auburn University where he earned both his B.S and M.S degrees. He earned his Ph.D. from Clemson University in 1962. Soon after graduation from Clemson, he was hired as assistant professor of entomology at UK and six years later he became department chair. After nine years in the department he was named full professor. He held the position of department chair for 33 years until the time of his death. During his time leading the department’s teaching, extension, and research programs, Dr. Pass helped foresee the creation of the Department of Entomology’s website, which was one of the first of its kind and still ranks as one of the most visited UK websites. He also served as the director of graduate studies in entomology at UK and chose to serve on every graduate student’s advisory committee. Pass served as major professor for 16 students and sat on the committees for 116 M.S. and 84 Ph.D. students. He was the manager of the Southern Region IPM Grants Program for over 10 years, and helped found the Entomological Foundation, of which he served as the first president.
Dr. Pass was a leader in his field and authored over 70 journal articles on IPM and secured over $3 million in grant funds. As a result of his dedication, he was awarded the UK Research Foundation’s Outstanding Research Award early in his career. As Kentucky’s state entomologist, he collaborated with numerous state and federal agencies on issues involving control of agricultural pests, including the Kentucky Pest Control Association, and the Kentucky Fertilizer and Agricultural Chemicals Association.
In addition to his leadership roles, Dr. Pass was very involved in the ESA, serving on the Governing Board for six years, serving as President of the North-Central Branch, and serving as President of the Society in 1987. He received the Society’s most prestigious honors including Honorary Member in 1998.
(updated May, 2012)