John Caseley 1935–2022: a Life with Weeds

Abstract

Former Outlooks on Pest Management board member John Caseley is remembered for his significant contribution to weed science in a career spanning five decades which earned him the respect of his peers around the world. John passed away recently at the age of 87. John’s extensive publication list demonstrates his capacity for collaboration with scientists in the UK and around the world. His enthusiastic and extrovert character made him not only a welcome colleague but also a frequent speaker at meetings and conferences. He was a regular contributor to the annual Brighton Weed control conferences and presented at numerous international meetings including in USA, Israel, Australia and in Europe. His international reach was further enhanced by collaboration on publications that to this day remain essential sources of information including a 1994 United Nations published book on Weed Management for Developing Countries, co-edited with Ricardo Labrada and Chris Parker and a volume from 2000 on Prevention and Management of Herbicide Resistant Weeds in Rice co-authored by Bernal Valverde and Charlie Riches. The latter has been downloaded many thousands of times in both English and Spanish versions. He was always keen to encourage others and served for many years on the editorial board of the Outlooks on Pest Management Journal and committees of the Society of Chemical Industry. John’s qualities were especially appreciated by many postdoctoral and post-graduate students from overseas who benefitted from his wise council and mentoring and who went on to become distinguished weed scientists in their own countries.