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Memorial Keepers(1)
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Martin Liebhardt
William (Bill) Charles Liebhardt
February 16th, 1936 - May 5th, 2020
February 16th, 1936 - May 5th, 2020
Beloved husband, father, sibling, and grandfather William (Bill) Charles Liebhardt passed away quietly at his home in Davis, California on May 5th, 2020. He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen; siblings Thomas, Janet, and David; four sons, Karl in Davis; Derek with daughter Geneva in Vermont; Martin and wife Julia with daughters Amanda and Audrey in Pennsylvania and Steven and wife Annette with daughter Adelaide and son Gibson in Oregon. Born in 1936 in Duluth, Minnesota, Bill grew up in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. When he was 15 his father bought a rundown farm in Troy Center, Wisconsin despite several heart attacks and no farm experience. Bill took up vocational agriculture in high school to become the resident farm advisor, a chapter ahead or behind the latest catastrophe. Bill attended Lake Geneva HS, then Elkhorn HS, before attending the University of Wisconsin, where he received his BS, MS, and Ph.D. in Soil Science. Bill was a pioneer in sustainable agriculture research and the first director of the University of California’s statewide program in sustainable agriculture. He disliked funerals and the current pandemic provides a welcome excuse, but if you wish to share a personal thought, story, and photo of Bill it would be greatly appreciated. We will miss his stories and laughter.
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Tributes
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Peter Gutgsell
Bill and Kitty were tenants at our Vermont home in his latter years. They wanted to be near their Vermont family. While I didn’t work with Bill professionally, he & Kitty quickly became our favorite tenants. Bill often stopped by for coffee and was always a delight to be around. We were truly saddened to learn last week of his passing a couple years ago.
Leroy Svec
Just learned of Bill's passing. I had the pleasure of being Bill's officemate in the Plant Science Department at the University of Delaware from 1970 to 1976. He was the soils guru, I was the plant guy and we hit it off well as we taught classes, advised students and conducted research in Delaware. Bill was one of my excellent mentors as I started my career. Rest in peace, my friend.
Audrey Liebhardt
Annette Liebhardt
Today marks one year of Grandpa Bill's passing. Being his daughter in law was an honor. He knew how to put his grandson to sleep with a few "oogas" and head rubs. He raised an amazing man who continues to be one of the best dads I know. His legacy is strong and I see him come through often in Steve. He was a good man for sure and had the most genuine authentic soul. May he rest in peace.
Kathleen Delate
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing! Bill was instrumental in perpetuating Sustainable Agriculture at UC-Davis when I was at UCB. As a Rodale Organic Pioneer myself, I salute Bill's efforts to push for more sustainable methods of producing our food and feed. May he Rest In Peace.
Audrey Liebhardt
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