John E. Pehrson, UC Cooperative Extension citrus specialist emeritus, died on Jan. 30 in La Verne. He was 97.
Pehrson joined UCCE as a farm advisor in 1953 for Orange County, moved to UCCE in Tulare County as a citrus advisor in 1966, then became a UCCE subtropical horticultural specialist at Kearney Research and Extension Center in 1980, and transferred in 1982 to Lindcove REC, where he worked until his retirement in 1991.
Regarded as a model Cooperative Extension advisor, Pehrson was gifted at translating UC research and offering practical solutions to help growers better manage their resources and improve citrus yields during his 38-year UC career.
Pehrson was an “encyclopedia of practical and scientific knowledge about citrus,” said Beth Grafton-Cardwell, emeritus UC Cooperative Extension citrus specialist and a former colleague of Pehrson. “He developed expertise not only in soils, but also rootstocks, citrus fertility, irrigation and entomology.”
In 2021, Pehrson was honored for his contributions to the citrus industry at a celebration at Lindcove REC, where the administration building was dedicated as “John E. Pehrson Hall.”
Pehrson, who attended the event with his proud family, told the growers and associated industry members gathered that he was always eager to go to work as a UCCE citrus advisor and specialist.
“I want you all to know that I appreciated the help I had in both the University community and with the industry, and with you growers that are here tonight to recognize me,” he said.
Pehrson is survived by sister Corinne; son and daughter-in-law John and Juli; daughter Karen; son and daughter-in-law David and Linda; and four grandchildren Jessica, Erik, Dylan and Jillian.
Read more about his life at https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/obituaries/pyrk1134356.