Split-screen photos: smiling man in red beanie indoors; serious man in suit outdoors — Screen shot from the tribute-to-Bruce Hammock video by UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal. It was released Aug. 13, which would have been Hammock's 79th birthday

'The World Was a Better Place When Bruce Was In It'

Heartfelt Video Tribute to Legendary Professor Bruce Hammock on What Would Have Been His 79th Birthday

by Kathy Keatley Garvey
August 13, 2026

Man reading papers at desk in office with bookshelf and wall of framed awards — UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emeritus (on recall) Frank Zalom reads a treasured note he received from UC Davis Distinguished Professor Bruce Hammock. (Screen shot)

"The world was a better place when Bruce Hammock was in it."

That was the theme of a heartfelt video released today (Aug. 13) on what would have been UC Davis Distinguished Professor Bruce Hammock's 79th birthday anniversary celebration. (See YouTube at https://youtu.be/BAses9EoYXQ)

Hammock, 1947-2026, an internationally renowned scientist who held a joint appointment with the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology (ENT-NEM) and the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, died Jan. 5 in Davis. A member of the UC Davis faculty since 1980, he was a globally recognized scholar, researcher, inventor, collaborator, teacher, scientific leader, and mentor.

His longtime friend and colleague, UC Davis Distinguished Professor Walter Leal of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and former chair of the Department of Entomology, created the video, capturing live remembrances from 20 colleagues, friends and mentees, from across the country.

"The video is a heartfelt tribute to Bruce Hammock, celebrating not only his groundbreaking scientific achievements but also his extraordinary character," said Leal. "Through the reflections of friends, colleagues, and former students, it portrays Bruce as a brilliant yet humble scientist whose generosity, mentorship, humor, and compassion profoundly shaped the lives and careers of those around him, leaving a legacy defined as much by his humanity as by his scientific contributions."

Among those appearing in the video from UC Davis:

Distinguished Professor Walter Leal, creator and narrator
Joanna Chiu, professor and chair, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology
Distinguished Professor Emeritus (on recall) Frank Zalom
Distinguished Professor Emeritus James R. Carey
Distinguished Professor Bruno L Nachtergaele
Distinguished Professor Joel Hass
Research Scientist Christophe Morisseau, now head of the Hammock research
Nematologist Christopher Pagan
Professor Emeritus Calvin Qualset
Distinguished Emeritus Professor and Entomology Department Chair Emeritus Robert E. Page Jr. (his titles include Arizona State University Provost Emeritus and Regents Professor Emeritus)
Former Vice Chancellor of Research Harris Lewin (now affiliated with Arizona State University)

Others providing recollections:

Professor David Karl, University of Hawaii
Professor Emeritus David Denlinger, The Ohio State University
Professor Emeritus Lynn M. Riddiford, University of Washington
Keith Wing, Life Science Strategic Advisor
Professor Qing X. Li, University of Hawaii
Professor K. Barry Sharples, Scripps Institute
Dr. Robert Schulze, Pediatrician, Sutter Medical Group
Darryl Zeldin, National Institute of Health/ National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Regents Professor Emeritus John Hildebrand, University of Arizona
Professor May Berenbaum, University of Illinois
Associate Professor Zain Syed, University of Kentucky, former researcher in the Leal lab

Rob Page in blue polo standing by large white spiral sculpture on sunny plaza — Noted honey bee scientist Rob Page relates memories of Bruce Hammock. (Screen shot)

Each singled out a special remembrance. Zalom said he treasured the notes he received from Hammock. "Whenever I got an award, he would leave me these little notes. They meant so much to me." Zalom read one: "When I think of who has revolutionized California agriculture is the face of UC agriculture international and has served UC well—one name at the top. FRANK. Thanks always, Bruce."

Page said Hammock was "one of the most remarkable people I have ever known." He praised his "passion for science and compassion for the people he mentored or worked for him."

Karl described him as "a giant in science and humanity: humble, visionary, kind, vigorous, helpful, an an intellectual, a scholar second to none."

Pagan remembered him as a storyteller, "more of a storyteller than a lecturer" and always interesting.

Wing lauded Hammock's "scientific persistence, rigor and creativity."

Li remembered him as a "great professor, very supportive, and very inspirational."

James R. Carey with white beard standing between blue 'Briggs Hall' UC Davis signs on campus — UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emeritus James R. Carey describes Bruce Hammock in one word: "magnaminous." (Screen shot)

Sharpless noted that Hammock was a "modest man, but driven" and he was "always enthusiastic about others' ideas."

Hammock was "an extraordinary person; the world needs more people like him," said Haas, a neighbor who watched his fireworks' expertise.

Schultz said Hammock was "always collegial, friendly, full of knowledge, and ready to explain anything someone didn’t understand."

Berenbaum, editor-in-chief of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, remembers him with "tremendous admiration," and he "was remarkably broadly trained."

Carey, who knew Hammock for some 40 years, described him in one word: "magnanimous."

All lauded Hammock's dedication to science, his humility and kindness. In addition, Chiu singled out his great sense of humor. Syed remembered the annual water balloon battles that Hammock waged on the Briggs Hall lawn with other UC Davis lab. Morisseau, a longtime research collaborator in the Hammock lab, related their close friendship.

Person with long gray hair, lanyard, arms crossed beside large gnarled wood sculpture — Professor May Berenbaum, editor of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, remembers Bruce Hammock with "tremendous admiration." (Screen shot)

Leal recalled that UC Davis Professor Robert "Bob" Washino and Dean Charlie Hess were instrumental in 1980 in convincing Hammock, then on the UC Riverside faculty, to accept a position at UC Davis.

Leal echoed the parting message: "The world was a better place when Bruce Hammock was in it."

In an email to the video participants, Leal wrote: "Your testimonials beautifully capture a few of the many facets of his unique personality, character, and remarkable life. Thank you again for helping us remember and celebrate Bruce on this special day."

Leal is spearheading the "Life and Legacy of Bruce Hammock," a public celebration set for 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 in the California Hall, UC Davis campus. Register here: https://forms.gle/eRssVnZyVZBV6is9A.

Two photos—left: two men splashing at fountain; right: bearded man with glasses outdoors — Associate professor Zain Syed of the University of Kentucky and a former researcher in the Walter Leal lab at UC Davis, said Bruce Hammock was a "water warrior" who organized annual water balloon battles with other UC Davis labs on the Briggs Hall lawn. (Screen shot)

Note: The UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has established an endowment, the Bruce D. Hammock Graduate Research Excellence Award, to honor his four decades of outstanding contributions and service to UC Davis. The endowment will support outstanding Ph.D. students in the college. The donation page is at https://give.ucdavis.edu/CAES/325999

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