Remembering the Legacy of Plant Breeding Pioneer Glenn Goldsmith
Glenn Goldsmith, the founder of Goldsmith Seeds, passed away on Dec. 17, 2021, at the age of 93. Syngenta Flowers invites the Goldsmith Family and friends to remember and celebrate the tremendous life that Glenn lived. Syngenta will host visitors at its trial grounds on Sunday, April 3, the last afternoon of the California Spring Trials. Click here for more information and to register.
Born in Upland, CA, Glenn was raised in Ontario, CA, by his parents Earl and Ruth Goldsmith. Living on the grounds of Armstrong Nurseries, he developed an interest in plants, and plant breeding in particular, at a young age. That led him to get his degree in Plant Science from University of California, Davis in 1950, followed by graduate studies in Plant Genetics at UCLA. While at Davis, Glenn met the love of his life, Jane Evans. They were married on July 7, 1951.
Glenn started his career by working for four years for Denholm Seed Company in Lompoc, CA, followed by another four years at PanAmerican Seed Company in Paonia, CO. In June of 1962, Glenn, Jane and their four sons moved to Gilroy, CA, to start Goldsmith Seeds.
To support the success of his plant development efforts, Goldsmith Seeds established a production company in Guatemala in 1966, additional production in Kenya in 1981, and breeding and production companies in Holland in 1982. All of the companies of Goldsmith Seeds reflected Glenn’s commitment to bettering the lives of their employees.
During his career, Glenn garnered recognition for his plant breeding from industry organizations All-America Selections and FleuroSelect, and was awarded All America Selections’ Medallion of Honor, FleuroSelect Laureat, Gilroy Man of the Year, Gilroy Hall of Fame, Guatemalan Peace Medallion, the Award of Distinction from UC Davis, and an honorary doctorate from La Universidad de Valle de Guatemala.
Philanthropy was also a key element of Glenn’s life. Once he and Jane moved to Kauai, they became ardent supporters of the National Tropical Botanic Garden, with Glenn serving for many years as a trustee. They were also supporters of Hospitalito de Gustavo Castaneda Palacios in Guatemala, Gilroy Foundation, Gilroy Rotary Endowment, Kauai United Way, Kauai Independent Food Bank, and many other causes.
Glenn and Jane also developed a love for sailing, culminating in a trip sailing for six months a year for five years, traveling down the West Coast of California, Central America, through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean, and finishing in Florida.
Glenn is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jane, his sisters Mardy Ratliff and Gerry Rickert, his sons and their wives, Bill and Rebecca, Joel and Paula, Richard and Laurie, and Jim and Kate, 15 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.
Those who knew Glenn Goldsmith are invited to share any reflections in the Comments box below.
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