Dr. David Pimentel

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David Pimentel Obituary

Dr. David Pimentel

Ithaca - Dr. David Pimentel, distinguished professor at Cornell University and long-time resident of Ithaca has passed away at the age of 94. David was a prolific researcher and writer of 690 published scientific papers and also 40 books, many of which are in circulation today and are relevant to the talk of climate change and the carrying capacity of the Earth.

David was born in Massachusetts, and grew up in Fresno California. He entered the Army Air Force before graduating high school where he trained pilots to fly the B-24. After the war he earned his BS at UMass Amherst in 1948. He earned his doctorate from Cornell University in 1951 that later included a fellowship at Oxford University (England). Dr. Pimentel was then called back into government service with the US Public Health Service in Puerto Rico for four years.

While at Cornell doing post graduate work he met and married Marcia Hutchins in 1949. Together they had three children Christina, Susan and Mark. Dr. Pimentel returned to Cornell in 1955 as an Assistant Professor, then a Professor, and later Head of the Entomology Department. His work and teaching moved well beyond entomology to agricultural economics, and ecology. Dr. Pimentel also traveled the world for our State Department advising many countries how to increase their crop yields to better feed their citizens.

Dr. Pimentel took several bold and initially controversial stands to protect the Earth's environment. He was the first to decry the use of the pesticide DDT before it was banned. As a member of the Secretary of Energy's Research Advisory Board when Biofuels (like Ethanol) were all the rage, his research showed they were an actual waste of energy, water and other resources. Dr. Pimentel also rang the bell on the need for better conservation of soil and water, and population control long before we heard the term "sustainability". In his mid-80's Dr. Pimentel participated in a meeting hosted by Prince Charles along with 10 other scientists on the Earth's sustainability. Dr Pimentel's work on sustainability was groundbreaking and remains part of the foundational work in that area today.

Dr. Pimentel served on several prestigious boards and Presidential Commissions and committees. He served as President of the Rachel Carson Council, was elected to the Audubon Society and the American Institute of Biological Sciences and served on the boards of the National Geographic Society, and the National Academy of Sciences. UMASS home of his undergraduate degree later conferred an honorary Doctorate to him.

While most people would retire by 87 Dr. Pimentel remained active at Cornell teaching, researching and publishing. He loved to fish, and get up before the sun rose to reflect and write. For years he transformed his patio into a skating rink, a hill into a toboggan run, and turned his tractor and wagon into an amusement ride for his children and grandchildren. An enthusiastic fitness buff he was running 5 miles a day until he turned 70, and then biking 10 miles a day until he was 88 years old.

David is survived by his wife of 70 years Marcia Pimentel, daughter Tina Piper (David Piper) of North Canton, Ohio, daughter Susan Pimentel (Andre Robichaud) of Ft Myers, Florida, and son Mark Pimentel (Viki Pimentel) of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by grandchildren Lauren Piper (Pat Cottle), Jocelyn Piper (Max Deacy), Yardley Roberts (Marcus Roberts), Hutch Pimentel and Donovan Pimentel, and great grandchildren Kaia Roberts, Micah Grant Roberts, Finn David Roberts and Kayla (Piper) Cottle. Special mention is due to Dr. Pimentel's long-time assistant and dear friend Mike Burgess who worked tirelessly his side at Cornell.

If you'd like to make a gift in honor of Dr. David Pimentel and his concern for the globe, please visit the National Geographic website at donate.nationalgeographic.org/tribute. Please make sure to check the box next to "Mail a letter on my behalf" and note Dr. Pimentel so we can be notified of your generous gift. If you prefer to send a check please include "In memory of David Pimentel" in the "For" section of the check and mail to National Geographic Society at 1145 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036. Thank-you.

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

Published by Ithaca Journal from Dec. 14 to Dec. 16, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for David Pimentel

Sponsored by anonymous.

11 Entries

Meg Glass

December 15, 2022

I remember Dave and Marcia so well. My mother and Marcia were dear friends from childhood. Marcia went to Cornell and my mom went to DC to George Washington. I remember them from the few visits and one when I was actually spending a weekend at Cornell when I was applying to college. Marcia picked me up and I had breakfast with both Dave and Marcia...and of course all those bug cases on the first floor. I remember all those cases. I loved the stories my mom would tell of her school days with Marcia and spending time with her family. I recall Dave coming to DC for a lot of Agricultural Department consulting. Also their youngest daughter Susan was down living in our area for a time. What a spectacularly long and wonderful life Dave had. My condolences and prayers to all. My mother enjoyed them so very, very much. RIP

Bruce Howard

February 21, 2020

I was one of the many undergrads who benefitted from even briefly working with Dr. Pimentel, in my case as a TA, a great opportunity. I thought of him from time to time over the next 40 years, and continued to learn from his generous example. Condolences and warm wishes to his family, and thanks, for sharing him with so many of us over the years!

Kim Stoner

January 8, 2020

Dr. Pimentel's papers inspired me to pursue a PhD in Entomology - at a time when I was not sure what I wanted to do, I read some of his papers, and I realized that there was an interesting movement in entomology toward finding alternatives to insecticides and bringing ecology into pest management. I was then fortunate to go to graduate school at Cornell, to have him on my graduate committee, and to be an author on one of his papers - as another student described, he would bring a group of students together to research a topic and then we would bring him our notes and he would work with us to synthesize it into a scientific paper.I was also fortunate that I was able to bring him to Connecticut as a keynote speaker to the organic farming organization in the state. He was courageous as well as brilliant, intellectually rigorous, but also curious and open. As much as anyone I have ever met, he was a force for good, intelligent public policy, informed by good science.

January 3, 2020

Dr. Pimentel was one of my favorite professors at Cornell and he sat on my MS and PhD committees from 1965 to 1967. I so enjoyed knowing him, studying with him, and knowing his wife. A truly special individual. Alice Chabora Tobias

Victoria Haas Pimentel

January 2, 2020

David Pimentel was the delightful grandfather to my children. I am so proud of his relentless work and all that he contributed to this world of ours.

Christine Perryman Schaller

January 1, 2020

David and Marcia Pimentel were dear friends of my parents, Firth and Nancy Perryman. Their friendship began in the 1940's at Cornell, and continued for many decades thereafter. My father was particularly in awe of Dr. Pimentel's sheer brilliance. His life was a gift to the world. The Perrymans extend their deepest sorrow at news of his passing.

Thomas Culliney

December 26, 2019

Professor Pimentel was my PhD advisor at Cornell (1982-1985). He was one of the titans of 20th century ecology, and published some groundbreaking studies, notably in the area of stability-diversity theory in population and ecosystem ecology. The fame that he achieved never "went to his head," and he remained a warm and down-to-earth human being. He was an inspiration to me, a mentor and friend. I mourn his passing.

Sue Baldwin

December 24, 2019

David Pimentel was my first boss at Cornell, from 1978 to 1981. He was a great guy to work for, very kind and patient. I was proud to type (yes, on an IBM Selectric II) his papers on population control, soil and water conservation, and other important topics.

Robin Wolaner

December 22, 2019

I worked for Dr. Pimentel in 1974, typing the book Insects, Science and Society. He was kind enough to include me in the acknowledgments - a rare gesture for this then-student-typist. A wonderful boss with whom to begin my career.

Catherine McCarthy

December 20, 2019

David Pimentel was a curious scientist, and dedicated environmentalpolicy advocate who worked to make the world a better place.I was fortunate as an undergraduate to have been included in a special environmental science and policy class he taught.. The course was designed for a small group of students to work as a team to select a topic and then collaboratively research, write, and ultimately publish a paper together.I've been thinking about him a lot this week - I'll always remember his easy laugh and his kindnessto me and other students. My condolences to his family.

Antonia Demas

December 16, 2019

David Pimentel represents the best values humans can aspire to honesty, creativity, curiosity, and integrity. He thought outside the box and dedicated his life to seeking the truth with discipline and courage. His work has made the world a better place. David Pimentel should be an inspirational role model for children and academics globally.

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