Robert L. Plaisted ’50 has been a professor in the Department of Plant Breeding since 1956. He was granted Emeriti status in 1996. Over the years, Plaisted served as an adviser to nearly 30 graduate students; many have gone on to become leaders in potato breeding and genetic research. Plaisted’s commitment to several students from South America also provided a tangible benefit to New York State agriculture, allowing researchers here to continue to make progress improving the potato crop using germ plasma native to South America.

Plaisted served as chair of the Department of Plant Breeding from 1964 to 1979, during which time most of the current faculty were hired. Under his leadership, the department maintained its worldwide prominence as a leader in plant breeding. Even in retirement, he continues to interact with students and conduct research. Plaisted has helped many young scientists develop successful careers in teaching, research, and research administration. His research is heralded by growers, processors, and other researchers across the world. His influence with international students impacts agricultural productivity not only in the United States but worldwide.

Plaisted was instrumental in the development of nearly 20 potato varieties and breeding lines used by growers and researchers in New York State and beyond. His most successful release was “Pike,” a scab-resistant variety well-suited for making potato chips. Pike potatoes are widely grown across the United States and Canada, and recently been introduced in Europe, South America, and Australia. Plaisted’s work in the area of Golden Nematode resistance has contributed to the continuation of the potato industry in New York State.

Potato growers and processors make no mistake about the value of Plaisted’s research to their business. Plaisted never missed and often created opportunities to talk to growers. He implemented an annual Extension event entitled “Show and Tell Days” so that NYS potato growers and processors could learn of the strengths and weaknesses of potato varieties and participate in the process of deciding which clones should be named and released. He developed a strong link between researchers of many departments at Cornell, including plant pathologists, nematologists, entomologists, and agronomists, which have been essential to the success of potato improvement projects at Cornell. He also helped unite researchers at other agricultural universities in the Northeast.

Plaisted has received numerous national awards for his professional success in plant breeding. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Potato Association of America, and in 2004, received the Researcher of the Year award from Potato Grower Magazine. Other awards include the Distinguished Service Citation (1984) from the New York State Agricultural Society, Certificate of Appreciation from the USDA (1984) for cooperation in the Golden Nematode Program, and the Excellence Award (1995) from the Empire State Potato Club, Inc. Plaisted was also recognized by the department’s graduate students for his support of their programs while he was chair.

In addition to his role as chair of the Department of Plant Breeding, Plaisted has served on various committees guiding the overall administration of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He is a member of Alpha Zeta Fraternity and a past president of the Alpha Zeta Alumni Corporation Board. He is a longtime member of the ALS Alumni Association. Plaisted has made outstanding contributions to CALS, Cornell University, and the world throughout his career, which has spanned five decades.

Plaisted lives in Ithaca with his wife, Ellen ’51 (HuEc). They have three children: Kathy, Diane, and Thomas ’79 (CALS).