Walter A. Gentner Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS0412

Staff Only

Content Description

The Walter A. Gentner Collection contains research manuscripts, photographs, award plaques and certificates, framed artifacts, paintings, and memorabilia related to Gentner's career as a plant physiologist with the United States Department of Agriculture's Weed Science Laboratory.

Dates

Creation: 1952-1988

Conditions Governing Access

Contact Special Collections for access.

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Walter A. Gentner, Jr. (1922-2011) joined the USDA in 1955. As a plant physiologist and laboratory leader, he evaluated chemicals for herbicidal properties and developed chemical guidelines designed to improve the safety and effectiveness of herbicides. Beginning in 1971, he became involved with studies of the chemical control of narcotic plants. He served on the United Nations Division of Narcotic Drugs Team, and was a National Technical Advisor on Narcotics. Dr. Gentner was the Supervisory Plant Physiologist and Laboratory Chief of the Weed Science Laboratory at Beltsville, Maryland. He retired from USDA in 1988.