Dr. Martin B. Dickman, a distinguished professor and former director of the Norman E. Borlaug Center Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology at Texas A&M University, passed away Dec. 2 in Santa Barbara, California.

Dickman, 68, focused his Texas A&M AgriLife Research studies on the fundamental molecular aspects of fungal-plant interactions, studying genes that regulate pathogenic development and signal communication.

In addition to his research, he contributed to many prestigious journals worldwide, as well as serving as editor-in-chief for the Molecular Plant Pathology Journal. Known for his big personality and competitive nature, Dickman enjoyed basketball, ping-pong and racquetball — all while avidly supporting both Texas A&M and the University of Nebraska sports teams.

“As a faculty member at Texas A&M University, Dr. Dickman exemplified excellence in all perspectives including research, teaching and service,” said Dr. Libo Shan, professor and director of the Norman E. Borlaug Center, Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology.

“Dr. Dickman was widely regarded for his pioneering work on fungal pathogenicity, plant cell death control and development of biotechnology platforms to improve crop tolerance to stresses. His research has generated some of the most sustained impacts in the field of plant pathology.”

Dickman received numerous awards during his career including:

– The Novel Keen award from The American Phytopathological Society in 2016.

– University Distinguished Professor from Texas A&M in 2015.

– Fellow for the American Academy for Microbiology in 2014.

– Fellow for the American Association for the Advancement of Science and E.C. Stakman Award for Research Excellence in Plant Pathology in 2011.

– Christine Richardson Professor of Agriculture for Texas A&M in 2006.

– Charles Bessey Professor of Plant Pathology award from the University of Nebraska, 2003-2005.

– Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Hawaii-Hilo in 2002.

– Junior Faculty Recognition for Excellence in Research Award of Nebraska in 1991.

He earned his bachelor’s in horticulture from the University of Hawaii-Hilo and master’s and doctoral degrees in plant pathology from the University of Hawaii.

“As an extraordinarily strong leader, during his tenure serving as the director of IPGB, Dr. Dickman leveraged the institutional strength in foundational and translational research and led IPGB as a flagship institution in plant genomics and biotechnology — well recognized nationally and internationally,” Shan said.

He is survived by his wife Duana, his children Dion Dickman, Crystal Heinicke, Derek Dickman, and Jayde Dickman; and his grandchildren Malakai and Acora Heinicke; Senen, Khai, Ascher, Weston, Mason and Brooks Dickman; and Wyatt Smith. He is also survived by his mother Beatrice, brothers Donald and Gary Dickman, sister Denise Spiegler, and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.

A retirement ceremony was held at the IPGB library in College Station in July.

“Dr. Dickman hand-picked the IPGB library but not the other venues for his retirement ceremony,” Shan said. “We managed to host his retirement ceremony in the IPGB library, where his passion and love to research was. The students, faculty, AgriLife leadership and his family were there.”

A small family memorial was held recently in Carpinteria, California. Memorial donations may be made to https://rocksteadyboxing.org/ or to the IPGB Martin B. Dickman Fund, TAMU 2123, Borlaug Center, College Station, TX 77843.