Warren S. Barham, PhD, passed away on April 16. He was born Feb. 15, 1919, in Prescott, AR. He married Margaret Alice Kyle (deceased 1997) in 1940. Warren and Margaret had 4 children (Barbara Mes, Juanita Contin, Margaret Ann Braham, and Robert Barham; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren). Warren married Evelyn Csongradi in 1998, they were married until her death in 2003.
Warren was a generous loving father, husband, grandpa, and friend with a wonderful sense of humor and compassion for all. He knew no stranger and had an amazing ability to keep in touch with friends and colleagues from his native Arkansas, to all corners of the world. He was a passionate horticulturist, educator and renowned plant breeder who never retired from his creative instincts to develop new fruits and vegetables. He had a strong, lasting influence on all who knew him.
Dr. Barham received his BS degree at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, in 1941 and his PhD in Plant Breeding, Vegetable Crops, and Plant Physiology at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. in 1949. Dr. Barham served in the Army Air Corps during World War II from 1942 to 1945.
Dr. Barham was Assistant Professor of Horticulture at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, where he taught Plant Breeding and Graduate Research until 1958, Director of Raw Products Research for Basic Vegetables in Vacaville, CA, until 1976 Professor and Head of the Horticultural Sciences Department at Texas A&M University, College Station, until 1982.
Dr Barham moved to California and formed Barham Seeds, Inc in 1985 After “retiring” for two weeks, at 65, Warren Barham then went on to become a pioneer in the development of seedless watermelons.
Dr. Barham continued active research, consulting, and generating innovative ideas about vegetable breeding until the final day of his life. Dr. Barham’s research included identifying and developing solutions to long-standing issues for plant breeding in various crops including onions, tomatoes, watermelons, melons, and cucumbers.
Dr. Barham was committed to contributing to his community as well as to his profession. He served as a school board member in Vacaville for 10 years, as a Rotarian for over 50 years, served as a member of parks and rec commission in Gilroy, volunteered at the Garlic Festival. He backed up his time commitment to community service with generous donations to fighting cancer, supporting the arts, helping youth sports, scholarships, and public horticultural research – to name a few.
Significant was Dr. Barham’s commitment to the American Society of Horticultural Sciences (ASHS). He was always supportive and active in this preeminent scientific society. He was Vice-president of Industry for ASHS. And ultimately be reached perhaps the highest career achievement for a horticulturist when he became president of ASHS.
Warren Barham is an excellent example of that “great generation” that first saved the world for freedom then went on to enhance life for everyone through hard work and positive achievement.
Warren Barham will be well remembered, held in honor, and always loved.
The memorial service will be held on Monday, April 26, 2010, at 11:00 A.M. at the Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 6000 Miller Ave, Gilroy, California. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Warren Barham’s honor be given to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at habingfamilyfuneralhome.com
