MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Mannon Gallegly, a pioneering scientist in plant and soil sciences and a former WVU professor, passed away Thursday at the age of 101.
Known for his dedication to tomato research, Dr. Gallegly’s groundbreaking work spanned more than eight decades and left a lasting impact on generations of farmers, growers, and students.
Dr. Gallegly’s legacy is rooted in his contributions to the development of disease-resistant tomato varieties. His first creation, the West Virginia ’63, became known as the “people’s tomato” and was celebrated for its hardiness and accessibility.
Released in 1963, it was reintroduced in 2013 to commemorate West Virginia’s 100th and 150th birthdays.
He later developed the West Virginia ’17A “Mountaineer Pride” and ’17B “Mountaineer Delight” varieties in honor of the 150th anniversary of the WVU Davis College.
His final variety, the WV ’23, was named “Mannon’s Majesty” in 2023 by former Dean Darrell Donahue, serving as a fitting tribute to his lifetime of dedication.
Even after his retirement, Dr. Gallegly continued his research for 30 years, striving to create heartier, blight-resistant tomatoes to benefit West Virginia farmers.
His passion for improving crops and addressing food insecurity earned him the admiration of colleagues and students alike.
“Mannon lived his life with a great sense of passion and purpose – a life certainly well lived,” said Jorge Atiles, dean of the WVU Davis College. “He embodied the true Mountaineer spirit of service and innovation.”
Mark Double, a retired WVU Davis College faculty member and friend of Dr. Gallegly, reflected on his remarkable work ethic and dedication.
“How many retired scientists still maintained a research program at the age of 100? Mannon was the consummate professional, always offering encouragement and direction.”
Dr. Gallegly’s focus on Phytophthora, a plant pathogen that causes blight, was a cornerstone of his career. Mahfuz Rahman, WVU Extension specialist in plant pathology, recalled Dr. Gallegly’s commitment to helping farmers.
“He often would say, ‘Tomato growers of West Virginia need a blight-resistant tomato variety so that they do not need to use a fungicide or very little in rainy and humid growing seasons.’”
Bob Williams, a former graduate student of Dr. Gallegly, praised his mentor’s influence.
“Mannon Gallegly was a brilliant scientist whose work significantly broadened the field of plant pathology. He laid the foundation for groundbreaking research for future generations.”
Those wishing to honor Dr. Gallegly’s legacy can make a gift to the WVU Foundation in his name: https://give.wvu.edu/Mannon.
