PAUL L. PFAHLER

PFAHLER, PAUL L.

Dr. Paul Leighton Pfahler, 80, of Gainesville died on December 21, 2010.

Dr. Pfahler was born on the family farm in Essex County, Ontario, Canada on November 3, 1930, the youngest child of Charles and Vivian Pfahler. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a Master's degree from Michigan State University, and his Doctorate from Purdue University. He started his career at the University of Florida in 1958, and remained there for all 47 years of his professional life. He retired as a professor emeritus of agronomy in 2004 but until his death, continued to work every day in his office and attend faculty and committee meetings.

He held numerous patents related to plant genetics, and worked extensively in the 1970's and 1980's with fellow scientists in the former Eastern Bloc countries, as well as with other international colleagues around the world. Although primarily a researcher, he developed a class on population genetics which he taught for many years, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Dr. Pfahler loved to travel for work and for pleasure and spent his retirement touring the world with his wife.

He was an exemplary husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and cherished friend, who will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, love of Seinfeld, and devotion to the bicycle as transportation. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in the early 1950's, but retained a lifelong affinity for his Canadian heritage.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years Mary Lucile (Cile), his daughters Diane Cassaro (Daniel) and Beth Radford (Blanton) and grandchildren Therese, Luciana, and Claudia Cassaro, and Benjamin and Bridget Radford. Surviving Canadian relatives include his sister-in-law Margaret Fawler, nephews Jan, Greg and Daryl Fawler, and Mike Demers. He is also survived by his brother-in-law John Neely (Amparo).

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 23, 2010, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 3146 NW 13th Street in Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your favorite charity in his name.