Idaho crop scientist killed in avalanche

Phil Bregitzer, a longtime crop scientist based in Aberdeen, Idaho, died March 15 in Bannock County while skiing.

Bregitzer, 60, was buried by an avalanche at the Pebble Creek Ski Area, reported the Post Register.

Bregitzer was a research geneticist in the Small Grains and Potato Germsplasm department at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service facility in Aberdeen. His work focused primarily on barley, a popular rotational crop for potato growers.

Here is Bregitzer’s obituary.

The Post Register’s John O’Connell has more on Bregitzer’s life and career here.