Robert C. Bullock

Dr. Robert “Bob” Bullock passed away peaceably, following a lengthy illness, at Lawnwood Regional Hospital in Fort Pierce, Tuesday morning, July 31. He was 87. Dr. Bullock was born October 16, 1924, in New York, New York.

Young Robert grew up in New York. While he attended college as an undergraduate, he served as summer 4-H camp counselor, where he first discovered entomology (the study of insects). Dr. Bullock enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for a decade in both active and reserve service to the country, during which time he was decorated with a Bronze Star Medal in recognition of “meritorious achievement.” His wartime service was with the U.S. Army Medical Department through which he was promoted to Sergeant. He served onboard the charter mobile medical Army Surgical Hospital in Burma during the Burma Police Action in April, 1944. Bullock was mentioned in Dr. Gordon S. Seagrave’s classic novel, “Burma Surgeon.”

Upon retirement from his military career, Dr. Bullock’s interests returned to entomology. A second career was launched and continued until his death. His work was characterized with steadfast devotion and numerous repeated solutions for a broad range of insect problems faced by agriculturalists among multiple horticultural industries throughout Florida and abroad. His erudite achievements include both a Ph.D. in 1954, and a Master of Science degree in Entomology in 1950, from the University of Connecticut. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from St. Lawrence University.

His first post as an entomologist commenced in 1954, with the United Fruit Co., in La Lima, Honduras. There he served for six years as a research scientist on the leading edge of fruit production and distribution. His position with the company took him to South and Central America on multiple occasions as he studied banana crop production and crop protection methods.

Bullock accepted a faculty position at the University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce in 1962. It was at the center of the world’s premier grapefruit region—and the place where Bob Bullock became renowned as: “a grower’s best friend and research pioneer.” The 1970s and 80s were the “Golden Age of Florida Citrus,” a time when the industry produced more than 55 million boxes from 1 million acres of trees annually. With scholarly knowledge, applied research techniques and findings, steadfast devotion and enthusiasm, Bob earned his reputation as the Indian River Region’s premier entomologist, prominent throughout the state and among growers in international citrus growing regions. Many Florida fresh fruit growers credit Bullock for their ability to market products free of insect-damage, and to meet demand for the highest quality product available to the world. Chinese scientists invited Dr. Bullock to then-Peking, for a tour of their country’s leading edge agricultural production methods and “green” practices, as Dr. Bullock’s pioneering integrated pest management practices were sought after worldwide. Bullock’s work to identify insects and naturally occurring fungus to replace chemical sprays was paramount.

Dr. Bullock’s peers, who were research professors, and growers with whom he worked during his long and successful career, elevated his contributions with the industry’s highest honors. They celebrated him as a professor who always led on the cutting edge, a pioneer, a great teacher and an entertainer--a man of spectacular talent coupled with a brilliant sense of humor. In recognition of Dr. Bullock’s worldwide contributions to entomology, and to all of the world’s citrus industries, an insect, Polytes bullocki Eger, was named in honor of Dr. Bullock. The insect is indigenous to South America. In 1991 the Crop Science Society of America recognized his pioneering work for pesticide spray natural alternatives with certification for a crop germplasm, R. C. Bullock, Florida Experiment Station Fungus, Irfl-4655.Macroptilius Stropurpursum (DC.) Urb.germplasm reg.number GP-102. For his achievements as a research professor, the Indian River Citrus League recognized Bullock in 2009 with its prestigious career award, “Legend of the River,” in appreciation and in recognition for his pioneering integrated pest management expertise and teachings. And, for his contributions to the world’s highest quality citrus products, he was in 2011 inducted to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. His installation in the Citrus Hall of Fame is distinguished as he is the single research professor to achieve the honor.

Dr. Bullock’s work took him to Central and South America and Egypt where he represented the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a consultant. He identified citrus leaf miner in Egypt, a major contribution to their enterprise. His techniques for the then-new Temik® and Admire ® products brought recognition to the Florida State Horticultural Society, as the results of his findings positioned the society as the source for domestic and international growers seeking cutting-edge pest control methods. Bullock’s work was largely with integrated pest management for the citrus industry. Yet, his reputation also brought him research projects for vegetable and forage crops. Producers continue to reference Dr. Bullock’s publications and outstanding contributions made to the Florida State Horticultural Society’s Proceedings’ collections. He taught the entire industry how to balance the use of chemical resources with natural resources for the mutual protection of the environment and fresh fruit product. In 2008, Dr. Bullock was named an Honorary Member of the Florida State Horticultural Society.

Following retirement from the University of Florida in 1999, Dr. Bullock continued the work he so loved, as he assisted horticultural growers with entomological solutions. He was a research scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. He then served as a consultant for Keyplex Inc. until his death.

Dr. Bullock was a longtime member of Truth Church in Fort Pierce. He served on the Board of Bible Lands Missionaries and volunteered for youth programs at the Golden Rule Academy at Truth Church. A distinguished community serviceman, he volunteered his time to youth 4-H entomology programs and delivered Integrated Pest Management presentations to UF/IFAS Extension participants. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club in Fort Pierce and was a Past President. In addition, he served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and as a reading tutor at Fort Pierce public schools.

Dr. Bullock is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean G. Bullock; son David W. Bullock, and daughter Susan Hawkins, all of Fort Pierce; two grandchildren, Eva Marie Campbell and Amanda Sue Karmali, and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by grandson Josh Hawkins, formerly of Fort Pierce; and a brother, Judge Forman Bullock, formerly of California.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Golden Rule Academy, 3891 Edwards Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34981.