After bravely battling an aggressive form of leukemia, ASPB member John Radin passed away January 24. John, his wife, Tari, and their children attended John’s retirement party in Beltsville January 18. At the retirement party, just days before his death, John mentioned that he particularly appreciated the travel time and effort made by ASPB member John Boyer and his wife, Jean, by family friends from Arizona and others who journeyed to be with John and his family for the retirement party. Despite the effects of fatigue accompanying his illness, John stood and greeted a reception line of visitors at the party. As always, he demonstrated his keen interest in seeing friends and colleagues and shared with them his good humor. As you know, John will be sorely missed by his many good friends in the plant science community. Following is a note from John’s daughter, Katie.

January 25, 2007 at 08:18 PM EST

At 9:42 pm on Wednesday January 24th, John Radin passed away, just three weeks after deciding to stop the chemotherapy treatments. It was peaceful, and he was at home with his wife and three children, just as he wanted.

At John's explicit request, there will not be a wake or other service.

And in lieu of flowers or other gifts, we would much prefer donations made in his name to one of the following charitable organizations, or another of your choice:

- Dana Farber Cancer Institute

- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Please also consider registering with the National Marrow Donor Program to one day help others fighting leukemia and other bone marrow diseases.

Thank you all for the unwavering support over the last few, difficult months. We will all continue to rely on that support in the future.

Love, Katie (John's daughter)