Industry Loses a Giant in Passing of Bernadine Strik

Bernadine Strik, who many believe changed the way blueberries are grown both here and across the world in a 34-year career at Oregon State University, passed away on April 14. She was 60 years old.

Industry leaders from across the globe expressed condolences and lauded Strik for her many contributions to the industry.

“Through her ground-breaking research and trials over more than 30 years, Strik helped transform the way in which blueberries are grown,” wrote the International Blueberry Organization in a tribute to Strik on April 17.

“We’ve lost a giant in the field and someone who was respected globally,” said Dave Brazelton of Fall Creek Farm & Nursery in Lowell, Oregon. “My phone has just been blowing up the last couple of days since we’ve heard the news of her passing. I mean, I’m getting calls from Australia, China, Italy, Poland and of course, from all over here in the Northwest and Canada.”

“We’ve lost an amazing person,” said Jeff Malensky of Oregon Berry Packing in Hillsboro, Oregon. “I am in shock.”

In an announcement on Strik’s passing that was sent out to the industry on April 18, the Oregon Blueberry Commission said it was saddened to lose a beloved colleague, eminent berry researcher, extension educator and teacher.

“She was revered and loved by her peers, associates and stakeholders for her leadership qualities, contributions to the berry industry and her nurturing and caring personality,” the commission wrote. “Dr. Strik’s legacy not only continues through her research and mentorship, but also in many hearts she touched in her short but impactful life.”

“Our industry has lost a great leader, mentor and friend,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and the North American Blueberry Council. “Bernadine has made an indelible mark on what the blueberry industry is today, and her legacy of innovation, research and passion will impact generations of blueberry growers to come.”

Among other milestones, Strik was elected a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science in 2007 and the International Society for Horticultural Science in 2021, its highest honor. She received the OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award in 2014 and the Chad Finn Ambassador Award from the American Pomological Society in 2021. She also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from teh Oregon Blueberry Commission in 2022.

Strik co-released 38 berry cultivars, authored or co-authored 150 scientific journal articles, 71 extension publications, 39 proceeding papers and 24 book chapters. During her academic career, Strik also taught three undergraduate courses and two graduate courses, as well as advised 21 graduate students.

David Bryla, a research horticulturist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, who worked with Strik for many years and published nearly 40 scientific journal articles with her, described her as “a titan in the berry industry and one of the all-time leading researchers on developing better management practices for various small fruits.”

“Bernadine was a force of nature and a joy to watch at meeting and field days,” Bryla added. “Her energy seemed boundless, and she had an amazing talent for getting everyone excited about her work or the project on hand. She was also extremely generous, providing help and support to me and many of my students over the years.”

Brazelton, who worked with Strik for 30 years, said he was constantly impressed with Strik’s ability to listen to grower concerns and address their production issues.

“She had a unique ability to carefully listen to the questions that growers were asking and designed power-packed research that brought data to those key questions,” Brazelton said.

“And then her delivery and her ability to put so much in a research project and then organize it so well and deliver the information in that great professional yet very entertaining way was exceptional,” he said.

“Whenever she spoke, the rooms were always packed,” Brazelton said. “Nobody was going to miss Dr. Strik’s presentation, because you were going to learn something.”

The celebration of life for Bernadine Strik is planned for Tuesday, April 25, 2:00 pm at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center on the Oregon State University campus. There will be time to share stories about Bernadine at the end of the service.