Dr. Ira W. Deep, Professor Emeritus, was the first chair of the Department of Plant Pathology after it was established as a separate department.  Deep chaired the committee that designed the Plant Protection undergraduate major, a multidisciplinary program that included programs in plant pathology, agronomy, entomology and horticulture.  He served as Chair form 1968-1984, after which he returned to teaching, research and Extension.  His research area focused on root rot of corn caused by Pythium arrhenomanes (and Pythium graminicola).  Deep resides in Worthington, Ohio, and continues to maintain ties with the department through teaching and other activities.

Pictured: Dr. Ira Deep (center) and his wife, Marie (left) with Dr. James Starr, recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.  Starr was honored at the CFAES Alumni Society Awards luncheon on March 1 in Columbus.

The Ohio State University

Department of Plant Pathology

2021 Coffey Rd

201 Kottman Hall

Columbus OH 43210