Kenneth W Tate

Ken was a smart, sincere, genuinely kind person that I'll remember fondly until my last day. Even though I regrettably lost touch with Ken over the years, I suddenly feel like something is missing in my life. I met Ken right after getting my BS degree from UCD in 2000 and spent three years doing bug work, as he called it, and helping with his lab's research. I was lucky to become sort of his sidekick conducting WQ workshops and helping ranches up and down the State with WQ and management issues. I learned so much from Ken in a technical sense but also from how he communicated and treated people with respect and kindness. Before we would visit a new ranch, he would say were not going to talk WQ the first day, first we talk about family and life, just how things are going in general. He was the same way with me and everyone in the lab, and we all loved him dearly for it; he was our mentor, counselor, and our friend.

Ken, it is helping me to hold my grief, pain and confusion as signs of how fortunate life was with you in it. Your tall, calm, and happy presence brought intelligence and charm to a committee meeting or a long drive. Your genius, in identifying what was important and then keeping things focused on that, helped so many. You were a leader, partner, and friend that brought clarity and joy to everything you did.

We are sincerely grateful for Ken's many contributions to the livestock industry throughout his career. His dedication and hard work left a lasting impact on our ag communities. Our deepest condolences to Ken’s family during this time.

Tina,Sorry for your loss. God be with you during this hard time. You and your family.. If you need any help in Havasu let me know..Darvin at 209 617 1715....

On behalf of all the cattle industry let me clearly state that our cattle industry will for many decades be indebted for Ken’s contribution to both science and the cattle industry’s knowledge of applied science

Thank you, Ken Tate, for your leadership and friendship. It was a real pleasure for me to be able to report to you while I was the Outreach Manager for the department. Thank you for your incredible listening skills, patience and support. Thank you for being so important to so many people.

Where to begin the million stories I could tell about building my early extension career with him, and the 20+ years thereafter. Rangeland projects, high Sierras, coastal studies, runoff plots at SFREC, fecal transects at MID, giving extension talks in sale barns and county fairs in the dead of winter or sweltering heat of summer, etc etc. His enthusiasm for applied research and extension was fabulous; he had great skill for connecting with land owners and industry, while at the same time he could get under the skin and drive em' mad if you were a regulator he believed was corrupt. He was most likely a better shotgunner than me, I'll admit, but I think I could take him most fishing days. Except for crabbing, I kid you not, he was a guru magician when it came to catching crab up in Oregon!

On a serious note, I just lost one of my best friends, and since I only have a handful (who else would put with me), that leaves a gaping hole in my heart. His death hit me really hard; I was so looking forward to a long retirement fishing and hunting with him, telling stories, and now he is gone. Ohh boy, now what do we do.....well ....we hold him in our hearts, every day, and on those special days when the north wind works over the Rogue River just so, a perfect rippled blue, I'm taking his memory fishing with me and putting out a pole for him. We'll see who catches the last fish. Farewell my friend, calm seas and tight lines, farewell ...

There are a few people in our lives who leave a lasting impact on the person you become. Ken was one of those people for me. We both started at UCD in 1995- he as the “new” Extension Specialist, me as an undergraduate student. I’ll never forget in 1996 when my boss, Mel George, proclaimed “I’m going on sabbatical. You work for Ken now.” What a blessing and incredible opportunity. Ken taught me so much about science, field work, laboratory skills, communication, working hard, playing harder, and how to mix a mean margarita after a long hot day in the field. He gave me opportunities to ask hard questions and navigate difficult conversations. He launched me into my first job out of college, then took me back under his wing in grad school a few years later. He clearly touched many lives in similar ways and leaves an incredible legacy. Sending my deepest condolences to Tina, Neri, and all those who held Ken so dear.

Ken's passing is shocking and sad. He was truly an outstanding scientist who believed that the culmination of his work was to make life better for people. He made the Rangeland Watershed Management program a model for integrating high quality experimental science and on-the-ground application to improve our lives.

His legacy is that he leaves a clear path for us to follow and a good example of how to be better at our profession.

Ken was great at presenting complex ideas in a way that was easy for everyone to understand. I recall a tour in Plumas County where he described the process of drinking water purification and I think the entire crowd (50-60 folks) went away with a clear understanding of how things worked. I was very impressed. And on top of that Ken was a very nice person. He will be missed by our profession and all those who knew him.

Ken was a great mentor and teacher. He went above and beyond to help graduate students like myself connect to practitioners to address real-world management questions. He brought warm energy and really connected with the undergrads in his Rangeland science course. I remember once during one of his lectures in this course, Ken used slides that his daughter helped him to create that had pink unicorns on them instead of cattle! It stood out to me because it was adorable, and also modeled to his students that you can balance being a fun person and a serious professional. I have never met his family but I can imagine that he was a great father. He will be greatly missed.

Ken was a one-of-a-kind friend and colleague. His uncanny and down-to-earth style was a big inspiration to me early in our Cooperative Extension career, which Ken and I both began in 1995. ​We worked together in his rangeland Cryptosporidium transport work. ​Our personal connection, the adventures, the depth, creativity, radical insights, far-reaching vision, and unconventional thinking spiced our conversations and relationship in ways that I always deeply appreciated and felt lucky to ​h​ave in my life. I will miss you​, Ken! My condolences to Neri, Tina, and Ken's family. My heart goes out to you!

Every time I see cattle grazing I think of Ken Tate. I learned so much from Ken about sustainable rangelands and the ecosystem services provided by grazing livestock. Thank you Ken for the quality time you devoted to rangeland research and especially for the leadership you provided to the Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment. You are greatly missed by colleagues, friends and family.

Ken served on my dissertation committee at UCB (2002), introduced me to the excitement of a 'paired watershed BACI design', encouraged me to consider the ecohydrology of a grassland, brought that Western rangeland ecology perspective to California annual grasslands, showed me effective communication skills, and always kept it calm and cool even when he had every right to blow up (compromised treatments?!...missing data?!...we'll figure it out.). He was a scientist passionate about people, communities, and ecosystems. What a role model and all around great dude. He left us better. Thank you Ken!

I feel very blessed to have known Kenneth, and I will miss him. I pray for his family and his daughter Neri for having to lose such a special person at a young age. While I never lived close, I have very fond and special memories that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. Every time I came to visit, Kenneth made sure my family and I had an amazing time. Catching crab, going to the beach, just riding on his boat, he had such a great attitude about life. So much so, when my father was unable to walk me down the aisle and give me away to my husband, I was blessed to have Kenneth be there for me. He will always have a special place in my heart and I know that he is looking down on all of us, make sure we continue to live passionately and make the very best of life.

I’ve been hesitant to share my thoughts or a memory of Ken ever since hearing of his passing. Scrolling through my email at a doctor’s appointment — to say I was shocked and heartbroken is an understatement.

Ken had a way of describing a study and the science behind it that wasn’t just engaging — he made it easy to understand, even for a simpleton like myself. I appreciated Ken and everything he did, not just because he was an ally to our industry, but because he was willing to ask tough questions, follow through, and go wherever the evidence led.

This often put him at odds with modern academia and groupthink. Because of this, there were many who tried to drag him through the mud. But Ken stood by his research and never wavered — a true sign of character.

A real treasure lost. I’ll miss our conversations about current issues and especially those that had nothing to do with our industry.

Not all heroes wear capes.

Ken was the rare intellect whose wisdom and insight went well the field. His work with the upper watersheds of the Sacramento Valley agricultural Water Quality Coalition was instrumental in advancing the understanding that irrigated pasture operations risk to water quality, allowing the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control to remove them from the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, which earned him the "Crystal Clear" Award presented by the Northern California Water Association. But for me, it was his calm unwavering demeanor in the face of an unsurmountable challenge that was his gift. Still aching from the news.

Deepest sympathies to all of Ken's family, both his personal family and his academic family. What a heartbreaking loss. Ken was a staunch advocate for fact-based solutions for the industry and in developing future leaders through his support of students and scholars. His joy in what he did is apparent through his smiles on all the photos. We will miss Ken as a friend and colleague.

I am very saddened to hear about Ken’s passing.

Ken was a very kind man who had a sense of humor and always a smile on his face.

I worked with Ken closely in many aspects of Administrative work. Ken was always willing to step up eagerly and graciously to help lead the department in the chairs absence. Ken was always very supportive of staff. He was always thoughtful in his approach dealing with issues in the many roles Ken had. I truly enjoyed working with Ken.

Ken you will be missed beyond measure. I send my sincere thoughts and prayers to your family and friends during this difficult time. May they find peace, strength and comfort and always cherish the memories they shared with you.

Sincere condolences

Dee Madderra

Ken was such an incredible inspiration, a leader in research and an admirable person. A great heart and a brilliant mind, just a kind soul. His presentation at the Cattle Council meeting was truly remarkable. Speaking with him was very inspiring and the work he did for our industry was incredible and very much appreciated by the cattle industry. Prayers for his wife Tina, his family and all who knew him. I feel fortunate to have met him and everyone could learn a lot from the path for which he created.

Ken was an effective leader, a thoughtful and pragmatic scientist and an important role model to me and many others in the Plant Sciences Department at UCD and UC Cooperative Extension. His impact and contributions to people, livestock and landscapes throughout California will live on for many years to come. I wish peace and comfort to all his family and friends during this difficult time.

What a loss to our industry and those of us that were fortunate enough to call Ken a friend.

I will always remember Ken for his kindness and for his unwavering passion for science-based solutions to the many challenges we face in our industry. He was a pioneer—truly ahead of his time in his field—and his contributions have left a lasting impact.

I will deeply miss his smile, his wisdom, and of course, his friendship.

My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones.

Sincerely,
Pete Craig

My thoughts go out to Ken’s family with the deepest sympathies.

As I read across the honors of these earlier entries, I find the variety of Ken’s impacts on friends and colleagues both warming and unsurprising. Ken had a rare way with people and ideas. His commitment was never in question. His knack for communicating complex ideas in readily digestible forms never failed to impress and inspire.

Ken didn’t spend much time with me and yet I learned from him. His curiosity was infectious and his synergetic thinking awe inspiring. In fact, I can’t recall an engagement with Ken that left me not formulating better questions. He was that very rare person, a social alchemist of sorts, able to draw the best from others by asking critical questions while acknowledging our shared blind spots -all with a twinkle in his eye.

He used his time here well. It was an honor to know him. We all know what was lost is so much more than words can possibly convey.

Sometimes there are no words. I was shocked when I heard the news. There have been many kind words about the wonderful work he did as a scientist that benefitted so many. But I was always even more impressed by Ken as a person. Smart and articulate for sure, but thoughtful, kind, considerate and generous. Angela and I saw Ken and Tina in Colorado at the Public Lands Council where they provided a CA wolf update. As usual, Ken was an excellent communicator.... because he cared about and understood people. Our heartfelt sympathy to Tina.

It's impossible to overstate the impact Ken has had on ranching. He was the right man at the right time. He will be missed.

Ken was a godsend to the Public land Grazing Industry. There are a lot of Organizations out their that are trying to put public land grazing out of business. A lot of there accusations were unfounded and that's where Kens work was so important. He did studies on E coli in mountain steams, he did water temperature documentation, his work was instrumental in documenting the benefits of grazing on Public Lands. His recent work of documenting the impacts of Wolves on Public and Private land will help with the direction of where California goes with Wolf management in the future. All of my sympathy to his family, and he will be greatly missed.

Ken was on my PhD committee. He was kind, communicative, knowledgeable, and inquisitive. He left a mark with me as he has many others. My knowledge of random effects would be nowhere today without, Ken. I am so sad to hear of his passing, what a legacy he left!

We have known Ken for many years, working on the GRAP issue together, and now on the wolf issue. He has been an indomitable force for ranchers throughout the state and has contributed so much for the betterment of the industry. His absence will be felt, especially at this critical time with the ongoing discussions surrounding how wolves are impacting our cattle operations. Our deepest condolences to his family and hopefully they know how much his contributions were appreciated.

It is so sad that we have lost another leader, educator, researcher and contributor toward rangeland management and sustainable ecosystems. I was always so impressed with Ken as he shared his knowledge and willingness to work with non-traditional partners in the preservation of rangeland and the surrounding habitats beneficial to cattle and wildlife.

Marilyn Cundiff

I, too, am deeply saddened by the loss of Ken Tate. His passing is devastating, especially for his family. Ken was in Oregon preparing to attend his daughter’s high school graduation at the time of his death. Our hearts go out to his daughter, Neri, as she begins college life. I am confident that she will make her father proud.

In the early 1990s, the UC range extension program identified the need for a rangeland watershed extension specialist. This position was approved, and, in April 1995, Ken Tate was hired. Ken quickly became not just a valued colleague but also a good friend. He brought together university collaborators to create a water quality research program that achieved national and international recognition. All of us who had the privilege of working with Ken were elevated by his clear thinking, insightful leadership, and unwavering dedication.

Ken was a Godsend to cattle producers on issues from water quality to the impact of wolves. A horde of producers supported by a cadre of attorneys, as knowledgeable as they might be, have no chance of prevailing without the scientific analysis that Ken provided. Not only that, but he and Tina were always fun to be around.

Shocked and sad. Ken was the model CE Specialist, combining a strong research program with an active and vibrant state wide outreach program. His work covered very important aspects of the CA range land community. We was a good mentor for students, even to my students working in rice systems. We will miss him and his ideas/advice in our department. I always appreciated his well articulated thoughts given his involvement in our department and his institutional memory. I did not know him well personally, but I saw a good, honest, passionate man. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

I was Ken’s advisor for his B.S. and M.S. at Oklahoma State University. On his first prescribed burn in tallgrass prairie, he walked up to me on the fire line and said, “This is doing something.” It was an early indication of his deep-seated commitment to land stewardship as well as his approach to life. The record is quite clear that Ken “did something” and that he deeply enriched the lives of so many of us along his way.

Ken will be dearly missed. Ken was a thoughtful, knowledgeable scientist who had the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people. I greatly admired Ken's ability to communicate tough issues so well. He was a sincere person and great to be around. The Forest Service benefitted greatly because of Ken's knowledge and advice on range projects. Thank you, Ken, for being a wonderful person and for your guidance.

Deepest condolences to Ken’s family and friends. Ken was a highly competent range guy who truly understood how to balance the art and science of the profession. He skillfully translated complex concepts into common sense applications. A consummate gentleman and highly respected extension specialist.

Ken was an incredible partner during my time at CCA. His dedication and thoughtfulness were traits that I admired and sought to emulate. He was a star, and we will miss him.

Ken was a good one, always addressing the important issues the range and livestock industry faced—the best definition of an Extension Specialist. He will be missed!

This is a sad news. I send my thoughts and prayers to the family.

I interacted with Ken primarily through California Farm Bureau Public Lands Committee. I only ever had a few brief one on one conversations but I listened to him talk a lot. I listened to his research. I truly believe that Ken was an HONEST researcher. I believe his research was never tainted by any outside influence whatsoever. As a lifelong cattleman, if Ken had told me that cattle grazing was causing a problem, I would have believed it. This is in todays world where science is tainted by whomever sponsors it. Ken was NEVER EVER that guy. He was a man of integrity.

I had/have monumental respect for ALL of Ken's research and gratitude for his life's work.

Again, I'm sad to hear of him passing and want to reiterate my heartfelt condolences to his family.

Sincerely
Peter Bauer and Family

Ken was one of the most compassionate, competent people I’ve ever met. I worked with him for 15 years as a writer for UC Davis and watching him in action was a master class in diplomacy and problem-solving. He continually found common ground among disparate groups to enhance the ecology and economy of California’s rangelands while protecting water quality here and and abroad. I’m so grateful to have known you, Ken. You made the world a better place to live.

While I didn't know Mr Tate directly, my condolences to his wife, Tina, on his passing. I trust she will draw solace and strength from the knowledge of how meaningful his work was to so many.

Ken was special - right person at right place at right time. His contributions benefitted many. His kind manner was special. He will be missed.

I didn't know him but reading the tributes and memories I am certain he was a strong advocate for Agricultural and Rangeland management and his knowledge isn't replaceable. I'm very sorry for his obvious, many friends and of course his dear wife and family. With deep sympathy I stand with you in gratitude for the help he was to our way of life and pray for comfort in the days ahead. God bless and comfort you all.

What a terrible shock to hear of Ken's passing. He was too young to leave this earth. In his life he made such a huge impact on rangelands and to those who worked it. He always had a warm smile to share and thoughtful words. He was a true friend and he will be missed by so many
My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of mourning. 🙏🙏

Ken’s influence extended far beyond California—to the United States and the world. His Rangeland Ecology course brought together students from across the globe, and I was fortunate to be one of them. After returning to my home country, I applied the knowledge Ken taught me to support sustainable land management on the Tibetan Plateau. His teachings live on in the landscapes and communities we continue to care for. Ken’s passing is a profound loss for all of us who were touched by his wisdom, kindness, and vision.

Ken was a gem--he had a profound impact on our watersheds in Northern California through his work to enhance our precious natural resources and sustain productive agricultural enterprises and working lands. Both his applied research and his cooperative extension work were highly regarded across all disciplines surrounding our rangeland ecosystems and he had such a calm, credible, and caring way to share his wisdom with everyone he graced. The landscape and watersheds in Northern California are better because of Ken and his passion and care for these special places.

I am profoundly shaken by this loss. Ken was a great boss and he was a great friend. My heart goes out to those he leaves behind.

What can a person say when someone leaves a hole in your heart. He is a generous person in a lot of ways, especially taking time to teach you and following up to see if you still need help. He and John Lorenzana have left this place better than it was. He set an example for everyone he mentored. He was truly an all for one and one for all kind of guy. I will remember a lot of his teachings. I am sure SRM will miss him also. As a young Native American he taught me a lot when I worked for the US Forest Service on the Sierra National Forest. Adios my friend.

Ken and I started in Agronomy & Range Science around the same time when I was still doing purchasing. I sat at my little desk in Hunt Hall while people would come in and sit at an even smaller little desk next to mine and fill out purchase requests (by hand!). I remember buying stuff for the “Yosemite Toad” project which just never seemed to quit! Those crazy Yosemite Toads… Ken would sit there quietly and fill out his orders while our office gossip was flying rampant around him; we all kind of forgot he was there until we saw him quietly smiling. He was a great sport, and I don’t think he ever divulged what we were gossiping about, haha! When Agronomy & Range Science eventually merged with three other departments to become Plant Sciences, Ken really stepped up and shone as a leader among the staff. As a Vice Chair for some time, we all deeply appreciated his dedication to the department and indeed to the staff. I remember I wanted to show my (at-the-time) young children a campus lab, and Ken let me bring them into his. Ken would always share stories about his daughter who had simply captured his soul. I was devastated to hear of his passing, and my heart reaches out to his family.

Utterly heartbreaking…. I have a deep respect for Ken and his leadership in rangeland science. Plus, he was one of kindest people I’ve ever met. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and all those his humor, kindness, compassion and integrity touched. 🙏🏼

This is awful news. When I decided I wanted to learn first-hand about California rangelands and range management for a few months, Ken welcomed me to his team, helping me continue to grow as a scientist and introducing me to UCCE folks who have remained friends and colleagues. He did so much to benefit ranchers and the range, leaving a hole that can't be fully filled.

This is very shocking news. Ken was an outstanding Extension professional and had wide respect throughout the rangeland and natural resource community. I value calling him a colleague. My prayers are with his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.

I had the tremendous privilege of working with Ken as part of my PhD studies at UC Davis (2001-2004). His passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors in general and for rangelands in particular was inspiring and infectious. He managed to be approachable and friendly and incredibly supportive while still holding his team to high standards, which is not always the easiest balance. The world is worse off without him in it. My deepest condolences to his friends and family on this great loss.

So incredibly saddened to hear of Ken’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with Ken for 12 years in Plant Sciences, and he was truly a remarkable person. He cared deeply about the staff and would regularly stop by the admin office just to check in and see how we were doing. He often spoke about his family, especially his daughter, who was truly the light of his life.

There are some people whose light is so great, it continues to shine even after they’re gone. Ken was one of those people. Rest in peace, Ken.

My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing this wonderful man.

Ken was one of the nicest faculty members I have worked with over the past 30 years at UC Davis. I didn’t meet him until 2004 when Plant Sciences was forming as a department, but over that time every interaction with him was both professional and personal. Ken did some administrative work as a Plant Sciences executive committee member as well as interim chair when Chris Van Kessel was away. Ken listened to staff very well and made thoughtful decisions. Ken will be missed for his warm presence as much as for his rangeland research. His legacy of work and students will have significant impact for many years. I am very sorry Ken’s family has to go through this terrible tragedy.

Shared with my deepest sympathy to Ken's family, friends, and colleagues. Ken was an incredibly important mentor to me - likely far more than he realized - when I started my career as a CE Specialist. I always admired his leadership and his ability to use science and interpersonal skills to have meaningful impacts on challenging real-world problems. As I reflect on his passing, I think he was the kind of cooperative extension scientist that I will always hold as a role model and example of how to do this job well. I'm sorry for his family's, and all of our, loss with his passing.

Ken was a mentor to me in graduate school and had a profound effect on my experience – the success of my thesis, the choices I made of what to study, and my ability to think, reason, and communicate, and, something harder to articulate – he provided an example of to learn, how to tackle difficult problems, and how to treat people with respect in the process. I have taken the lessons into my life and built a successful career, and I still use the skills I learned every day. Put simply, his mentorship enriched my life in every aspect. And I am just one person his path crossed for only a few years. Ken, I wish I had taken the time to thank you in person. You will be greatly missed.

My deepest condolences to Ken's family, friends, and colleagues for Ken's untimely passing. Ken was one of the best at UC Davis. He made major contributions to rangeland research and practice, along with the UC Davis community and colleagues. He really helped me get my feet on the ground during my early days at UC Davis, including recognizing the value of social science (turns out ranchers are people!) and helping me navigate the culture of Cooperative Extension outreach and engagement. We shared a love of fishing and the outdoors. Ken had gift of being able to talk to anybody and make them feel appreciated! Thank you Ken for all your contributions. You will be greatly missed at UC Davis.