Werner J. Lipton

WERNER J. LIPTON

Werner Lipton died on Tuesday, January 31, 2006, from colon cancer. Werner came to Fresno in 1957, to accept a position as a research scientist with the U.S.D.A. Until he retired in 1987, he worked at the Agricultural Research Service Laboratory that was then located on Butler Ave., researching methods to maintain the quality of vegetables and melons as they make their way from the farmer's field to the grocery store. In his career, he authored over 100 scientific papers and co-authored a text book, and his status as a leader in his field of research was honored by his election as a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS). After he retired from the U.S.D.A., he was the science editor for the A.S.H.S. for nine years, holding chief responsibility for the scientific integrity of the society's publications. Werner was born Werner Liebschutz in Mindelheim, Germany in 1928. As Nazi power and persecution of the Jews rose in the 1930's, his parents tried to arrange for the family to leave Germany, but could only get permission for their only child, 11 year old Werner, to cross into Switzerland in 1939. While he spent the years of World War II as a refugee in Switzerland, his parents were killed in a Nazi concentration camp. After the war, he joined relatives in Detroit, changing his last name to one he thought would fit better in the American English of his new home. In Detroit, he finished high school, met and married the love of his life, Joan Lindskold, and then followed his interest in agriculture to study at Michigan State University, and then to University of California, Davis, where he earned his PhD in Plant Physiology. Until his recent illness, Werner was highly energetic and had many interests. He rode his bicycle nine miles a day, and was a devoted gardener. In retirement, he and Joan traveled to several places in Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. He held a variety of leadership roles at Temple Beth Israel, and recently focused energy on transportation issues in Fresno County and beyond. His activities were motivated by his passionate concern for justice and quality of life for ordinary people everywhere, likely encouraged by his childhood experiences. These interests dovetailed with his love for writing, in the form of the dozens of letters to the editor of the Bee that he authored over the years. His letters were often witty and controversial, and were always to the point. He was predeceased by his son, Ronald Lipton. Werner spent his last several weeks under the excellent care of Nancy Hinds Hospice. He is survived by his wife, Joan Lipton; his daughters, Carol Winter of Placerville, and Marian London of Fresno; and his son, Alan Linov. He is survived also by seven grandchildren, Ashley, Bryant, and Gavin Cardwell of Fresno, Amber and Jill Winter of Placerville; and Shayna and Larsen Linov of Boston. A Memorial Service will be held at Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa, in Fresno on Tuesday, February 7, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions would be appreciated by Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa, Fresno, CA 93704; Nancy Hinds Hospice, 1616 W. Shaw, Suite B-6, Fresno, CA 93711; or ACLU, Northern California, 1663 Mission Street, #460, San Francisco, CA 94103. LISLE FUNERAL HOME1605 'L' Street, Fresno 266-0666