Dr. John W. Wilcut 24 August 2007

On 24 August 2007, the Wilcut family, North Carolina State University and APRES lost a son, husband, father, colleague, mentor, and friend when Dr. John Wilcut finally lost a long battle with cancer. We will all remember John for his passion for excellence in everything that he did. Stories abound among faculty, students, friends and colleagues of John's zest for life.

Dr. Wilcut worked at research stations at Virginia Tech and The University of Georgia. His desire to be on a main campus to teach and work with students led him to North Carolina State University, where he was a Professor in the Crop Science Department. He dedicated his life to being a mentor to other weed scientists and helping farmers find weed control solutions to maximize crop yields. He was nationally and internationally recognized for his contributions to agriculture and weed science, but his greatest satisfaction came from working with students as they embarked on their careers.

John was devoted to his family, and his first priority was to take care of each of them in the best way he could. He was a thoughtful, romantic man who cherished his wife, Cathy, and children, Jared and Caitlyn. Surviving siblings include his brothers, Kerry Wilcut and wife, Debbie (Marion, IL), James Wilcut and wife, Daphne (St. Louis, MO), and sister, Kim Amodio and husband, Angelo (Waynesboro, MO). Surviving also are several nephews and nieces.

Peanut Science has only had a few editors in its thirty-four year history, each one having their own challenges in managing the review and revision of manuscripts and production of a high quality printed journal. When Dr. Wilcut took the helm as editor, the journal had fallen almost two years behind in production. In addition, APRES had decided to change from a printed to an electronic publication. Dr. Wilcut became editor fully knowing the challenges that lie ahead. At the same time, John also received news of his upcoming battle with cancer. John attacked all these challenges head on with determination, joy, optimism, and professionalism. During the general session of the 2007 Annual Meeting in Hoover, AL, John beamed as he proudly announced that Volume 34 Issue 1 (January–June) of Peanut Science had been published two weeks prior to the meeting. John took no credit himself for this achievement, but gave the credit to the associate editors and reviewers.

Thanks to John's leadership, the associate editors, reviewers, and the authors, the journal is now completely up to date. Our goal is to be the preferred journal for anything peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), whether you are a scientist with research to publish or you are looking for the latest in scientific research. It is with this mindset, that we dedicate this issue to the memory of Dr. John W. Wilcut, editor, colleague, and friend.

Chris Butts, Interim Editor

Peanut Science