Dr. Gayle L. Worf passed away at home on August 14, 2026 with his two sons and oldest granddaughter at his side. Born November 17, 1929 on the small family farm near Garden City in southwestern Kansas, Gayle’s early life was greatly influenced by the Depression years and the Dust Bowl, and he never forgot where he came from. As if the hardship of the thirties weren’t enough, next came the rationing associated with WWII. He grew up working the family farm and eventually made his way to Kansas State University (BS 1951 in Agronomy), where he met his soulmate and the love of his life, Mary Alys Jean. They married in June 1952 and immediately moved to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. There Gayle fulfilled his four years of military service. In 1953 during this time in the military, he was granted a short leave and earned an MSc degree in Agronomy and Plant Pathology from Kansas State University. Upon discharge from the military in 1955, the family moved to Ness County, KS, where Gayle worked for three years as the county extension agent.

Using the GI Bill, Gayle and Mary moved their family in 1958 to Madison, WI, where Gayle earned a PhD in Plant Pathology and Botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1961. He then began a long and brilliant career as professor, researcher and extension specialist in plant pathology. Initially, he was the sole extension plant pathologist for Iowa State University, where he found it daunting to be responsible for extension activities for diseases of all plants. So when he had the opportunity in 1963 to join the Plant Pathology faculty at UW-Madison, he accepted a position as extension specialist where he had responsibility for urban forestry, field crops, ornamental plants and turfgrass. During his 29-year career at UW-Madison he worked on a wide variety of plant diseases, starting with Dutch Elm Disease, leaf blights of corn, bacterial blight of geraniums, and root rots of turfgrass. His last two years were devoted to administration as the Acting Associate Dean for Extension in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. For his outstanding contributions he received many honors but most notably he was named Vaughan-Bascom Professor of Plant Pathology.

Gayle had an infectious joy of life and could find happiness in any circumstance. Upon retirement, he and Mary loved fishing, golf, camping, UW football, basketball and hockey games, traveling, music and theatrical performances, as well as his much beloved circle of friends, with whom he remained close right up until his passing. But he would tell you that the most important thing in his life was his bride Mary, his sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. No one ever had a more wonderful father, grandfather, or father-in-law than Gayle Worf.

Gayle is survived by his sons Glenn (Susan) Worf, Neil (Ann) Worf, of Nashville, TN, as well as 6 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, a brother, Duane, and 10 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Leslie Worf, mother Leona (Becraft) Worf, and brothers Derward, Darrell, Lester, and Roderick Worf, and sister Jeannine Worf.

At Gayle’s request, there will be no formal life celebration. Gayle requested that any memorial donations be made to The Nature Conservancy and/or Agrace Hospice Care, Madison, WI.

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Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434