SUSSEX, IAN Ian Sussex died May 10. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Kerk of Guilford CT, brother Neil Sussex and family in New Zealand. Ian Sussex was an accomplished scientist who was instrumental in founding the field of plant developmental biology. His main research focused on plant meristems and the analysis of how meristems are initiated, become functionally organized and allocate cells to tissues and organs. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1927. His PhD was from the University of Manchester and Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University before coming to Yale. He and his many laboratory students used molecular cellular and genetic approaches. Indeed over the years Ian’s lab had several dozen graduate students, post docs and visiting scientists from all over the world come to Yale and the University of California at Berkeley to work on projects of their own design in Ian’s laboratory. He had well over 100 publications. Many of his students went on to achieve prominent positions in the field of plant development largely due to Ian’s unique mentoring. Ian fostered an egalitarian community with students emerging as self-directed individuals prepared to mature into accomplished scientists. His impact rippled through so many. Ian was recognized by many prizes, honors and awards to acknowledge his contribution to the growing field of plant development. These include among many, The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Developmental Biology and the Yale Class Teaching Award. Ian truly enjoyed teaching and being a mentor to his many students and colleagues. He organized several conferences and taught and organized the summer course on plants at Cold Spring Harbor labs for several years. Ian was not only a brilliant scientist but a devoted teacher and mentor. He was a very accomplished and talented marathon runner and ran in marathons all over the world with a good friend and colleague from Yale. He finished several in fewer than 3 hours when he was over 55 years old. Yes, Ian truly made an impact though research and teaching and just being the strong quiet man that he was. He has been described by many as a true gentleman. He will be sorely missed. To sign the online guestbook please visit hawleylincolnmemorial.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The New Haven Register from May 18 to May 19, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for IAN SUSSEX

Sponsored by NHRegister.com.

15 Entries

Virginia Walbot

May 12, 2023

Still a scientific inspiration for me.

Peggy Lemaux

May 12, 2022

Still miss his wit and intellect!

Party time at Ian's house, ca 1980

Alan McHughen

June 23, 2015

I waited a month to allow the initial shock to pass, and to allow Ian's impact on me to fully ferment. In addition to his other virtues as recorded here, Ian's greatest influence on me was in showing that it's not only possible, but actually beneficial, to conduct science and scientific inquisition with the utmost degree of professionalism and determination to find truth, while also having fun. Thanks, Ian; we'll never forget you or those lessons.

Naomi Nakayama

June 3, 2015

I first got to know Ian from the book Patterns in Plant Development. It was the first non textbook science book I got, and I have read it again and again, each time getting new inspirations. Since meeting with him in person, I have admired his bottomless curiosity on science and its roles in society. He looked so uncomfortable to be treated as 'Great Dr Sussex' and wanted to talk with another researcher (should it be a first year grad student or a professor) equally. A true scientist. I wish Ian most peaceful rest.

Marti Crouch

June 2, 2015

Ian was "old school" - driven by curiosity, willing to let students follow their own instincts, creating a supportive community of innovative scholars. No matter how far I traveled, Ian supported the journey. I treasure a vision of him piloting his brother's yacht in New Zealand's Bay of Islands, hand on the wheel, eyes on the horizon - completely at home in the world. Farewell, scientist and sailor, mentor and friend.

Al Bothwell

May 31, 2015

I had the real pleasure of having my first graduate class with Ian and Art Galston in the fall of '71. Later I was a TA for him. He was really one of my favorite professors, just a pleasure to be around. I saw him around town periodically. Glad he had such a long successful life.

Alan Schulman

May 26, 2015

Ian was my scientific father and also a good friend. His sharp mind, enthusiasm, gentle humor, and thorough decency will be sorely missed.

Mike Bevan

May 24, 2015

Ian's ideas and teaching have provided a strong foundation for plant developmental biology and will continue to guide the field for many years. Farewell to a great New Zealand scientist.

Peggy Lemaux

May 23, 2015

Personally this is a great loss. Ian was always a thoughtful presence - with a caring manner and engaging wit. He quietly mentored many of us without knowing he was doing so. He wll be sorely missed - as a scholar and friend.

Lori

May 22, 2015

It was a great privilege to have Ian back at Yale and participating in our lives. Although he was humble and soft spoken, you always knew you were in the presence of a great mind and man.

Alan McHughen

May 21, 2015

Thanks for everything, Ian

May 21, 2015

I was so regret of seeing the obituary about loss of Ian. The photo on the web is so familiar to me as it is exactly the same one he sent to me several years ago when I asked him for.

I knew Ian in person more than 24 years ago when I was a postdoc to Renee Sung's lab, in neighbor to Ian's lab. Although I didn't have many chances to talk with him, I was influenced by his opinion on plant development through reading his book, listening to his talk to group discussion and from other people's talk about him. I told my students that only after my postdoc experience with Renee in the Department of Plant Biology at UC Berkeley, I realized that plant science, especially plant developmental biology is the career I am willing to dedicate to. The period was a golden age for plant developmental biology in UC Berkeley, as there are a group of top scientists in the field gathered in the department. Among them Ian was a highly respected one. .

In addition, I vividly remember in the first department retreat I participated in, in an evening, the students organized a party and three of them mimic Ian as Lenin, Mike Freeling as Karl Max, and Bob Fisher as Engels. So enjoyable memory!

Anyhow, to most people who are interested in plant developmental biology, Ian is always alive. People knew him, will remember his generous; people do not have chance to know him, will meet him in textbook and on the classes.

Shunong Bai
Professor of Plant Developmental Biology,
College of Life Sciences, Peking University

May 20, 2015

A life long friend and mentor, who suffered through hours of practice sessions and draft manuscripts to help his students become accomplished presenters and writers. Ginny Walbot

Len Sablitz

May 19, 2015

So sorry for your loss. I truly enjoyed working with Dr. Sussex when I worked for Yale at the Marsh Gardens. He was such a nice man and a true gentleman. Len Sablitz

Doug Kankel

May 19, 2015

Ian was always a model for both scientist and decency; he will be missed.

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