Jul 21, 2023Longtime MSU Extension specialist, potato consultant dies at 71
Roger Brook, a longtime agricultural and biological engineering Extension specialist for Michigan State University, died at age 71 on July 12.
Brook, who earned a Ph.D. from MSU, was part of the school’s Extension from 1987 until retiring and starting a consulting business in 2002. Brooks worked with commercial growers on potato and onion storage ventilation system design and evaluation throughout his career.
Brook also served as chair of the National Potato Anti-Bruise Committee, authoring and co-authoring publications including “Potato Storage Technology and Practice,” released in 1989.
“Dr. Brook was an accomplished agricultural and computer scientist who was passionate for the collection and delivery of accurate information to decision makers through digital formats,” Todd Forbush, vice president and storage systems engineer at Techmark Inc., told Michigan Potatoes.
“He was a mentor and friend to many current researchers and practitioners of postharvest vegetable handling and storage. He will be fondly remembered.”
