Dr. Larry S. Daley

Dr. Larry S. Daley, Professor Emeritus of Horticulture at Oregon State University, passed away on September 15, 2025, at the age of 88. Born on September 21, 1936, in Liverpool, England, Larry was proud of his Cuban heritage and his descent from General Calixto García, a revered leader in Cuba's fight for independence who famously supported Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. That legacy of courage and intellect shaped Larry's own life-a quiet but enduring thread through his work and values. Larry earned his B.S.A. and M.S.A. in Fruit Crops from the University of Florida and his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from the University of California, Davis. He spent his career advancing agricultural science in Oregon and beyond. His research helped improve crops and he contributed to cancer research through studies on Taxol®, a plant-derived chemotherapy drug. He was known for blending precision with creativity-most notably in a published paper where he encoded the Mona Lisa into a living leaf using spectroscopic imaging, a feat he was quietly proud of. Throughout his career, Larry mentored many gifted graduate students, including Dr. Li Ning. He deeply valued their brilliance and the legacy they continue to shape. Larry's intellectual curiosity also led him deep into the history and ecology of Cuba, the land of his heritage and the heart of many family stories. He authored the memoir Love and War in Cuba, a sweeping and deeply personal account of his family's triumphs and tragedies across generations. In it, he explored Cuba's political upheaval, ecological transformation, and cultural resilience-drawing on both scientific research and intimate family history. The book stands as a testament to his belief that science and story are not separate-that truth lives in both data and memory. After retiring, Larry embraced a new chapter of exploration, traveling the world with his beloved wife, Natalie Daley. Together, they ventured down the Amazon, stood in awe on Easter Island, explored the Galápagos, wandered the streets of Morocco, and sailed through Europe-often aboard Princess Cruises, whose itineraries became a map of their shared adventures. These journeys were more than vacations; they were expressions of curiosity, partnership, and joy. Larry held deep admiration for his daughter Jillian Daley, whose gifted writing and fierce intellect brought beauty and insight into the world. He is survived by his beloved wife, Natalie Daley; his daughter, Jillian Daley, married to the Hon. Pam Haan; his daughter, attorney Kara Daley, married to Poul Petersen; and his three cherished grandchildren-Rory, Jesa, and Aren. He was preceded in death by his son, Ethan Daley, a gifted engineer who earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Ethan's wife, Corine Martineau, a brilliant scientist and beloved member of the family, survives him. No service will be held, in accordance with Larry's wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ethan's Coffee Fund with the Benton Community Foundation, in honor of his son Ethan Daley, or to Lumina Hospice, whose compassionate care supported Larry and his family in his final days. Both causes reflect the spirit of inquiry, kindness, and dignity that Larry carried throughout his life.