News Releases

DATE:	December 27, 2006
CONTACT:	Lisa Dry
	(703) 837-8140

In Memorium - Gary Arthur

In Memoriam

The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) was saddened to learn of the passing of Gary Arthur on December 26. Gary had been courageously battling multiple myeloma.

Gary had a long and distinguished career in the seed industry. He was known for his enthusiasm and love of the seed industry, as well as his leadership in the industry on the state, national and international levels. His passing truly marks the loss of an industry legend.

Gary received his Bachelors degree in Biology and a Masters degree in Agricultural Sciences from Southern Illinois University. The majority of the work done for his Masters was performed in Brazil.

His professional career started in 1974 with F. S. Services, as a corn breeder. While the majority of his career was with Holden’s Foundation Seeds, Gary continued his involvement with the company after it was purchased by Monsanto. Following his tenure as President of Holden’s, Gary consulted with Beck’s Superior Hybrids.

His contributions to the seed industry were many and included ASTA, Indiana Seed Trade and Indiana Crop Improvement Association. Gary’s leadership in ASTA was well known and respected. He held a number of leadership positions and worked tirelessly in various committees and divisions within the Association, including: Corn and Sorghum Division; Intellectual Property Rights Committee; Biotechnology; International; Membership; Board of Directors; and Executive Committee. He was elected as Regional Vice President and Second and First Vice Chairman. Due to his illness, however, Gary was unable to assume his duties as Incoming Chairman.

Internationally, Gary also served with distinction and effectiveness within the International Seed Federation on its Board and sections. He routinely represented U.S. seed interests in various fora and was an effective advocate and spokesman on many issues, including intellectual property rights protection; essential derivation and dependency; and benefit sharing.

In 2003 Gary was named the Association’s Honorary Member, the highest award given to seedsmen by past ASTA’s Chairman Sonny Beck. Gary will be sorely missed. Gary is survived by his wife, Kathy and two grown children.

Visitation will be Friday, December 29, 2006 from 4:00pm -8:30pm and the memorial service will be at 10:00am on Saturday, December 30, 2006. Both the visitation and memorial service will be held at:

Parkview Church
15 Foster road
Iowa City, IA 52245
(319) 354-5580

Memorials:
1. Parkview Evangelical Free Church
2. University of Iowa Holden's Comprehensive Cancer Center
3. Nature Conservancy

Please send all memorials in care of:
Kathy Arthur
2157 Port Talbot Drive
Coralville, IA 52241

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Founded in 1883, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), located in Washington, DC, is one of the oldest trade organizations in the United States. Its membership consists of about 900 companies involved in seed production and distribution, plant breeding, and related industries in North America. As an authority on plant germplasm, ASTA advocates science and policy issues of industry importance. Its mission is to enhance the development and free movement of quality seed worldwide.