Obituary of Zane Smilowitz

Zane Smilowitz passed away on January 5, 2015. Zane was born on September 13, 1933 in the Bronx, New York to Hungarian and Russian immigrants William and Bertha Smilowitz. On June 27, 1959 he married Anne Kossoy, who survives at home. As a young man, Zane enjoyed ice skating, swimming, boating and most athletic activities. He never met a stranger, could weave a tale like no one else, and always appreciated a well-told joke. With a thirst for knowledge and endless curiosity, in 1959 he enrolled at the University of Georgia. Zane graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 1961 and earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1967. He began his career at Penn State University in September 1967, and retired as a Professor Emeritus of Entomology in 2000. Zane's work at Penn State focused on pest management and involved Extension work with growers and teaching as well as advising many graduate students. Zane enjoyed his work with the students he advised, kept in touch with many, and was proud of their career accomplishments. Currently, the research of one of his former students involves work on combating multiple myeloma, the cancer that eventually took Zane's life. Zane also spent time helping youngsters develop team work and competitive skills while serving as a Little League baseball coach. He grew up an avid New York Giants baseball fan, and grew to love all Penn State athletics, especially football. Anne and Zane tailgated with the same friends for over 30 years. In 1993, Zane and Anne built and opened Earlystown Manor Bed and Breakfast. Zane was a welcoming host and an outstanding breakfast chef. The grounds of the B&B were adorned with flowers they purchased at the weekly auction at Roots in Lancaster County. Zane also carefully tended his vegetable garden and fruit trees and loved to harvest and share the bounty with friends, neighbors and guests. Zane shared his expertise in managing the B&B as both the president and treasurer of the Mid State Bed and Breakfast Association. In addition to his wife Anne, Zane is survived by daughters Ellen Price, Las Vegas, Nevada and Nancy Smilowitz, Tallahassee, Florida; son Brian (Rumi) Smilowitz and granddaughter Hikari , Okinawa, Japan; brother Gordon Smilowitz, New Jersey; cousins Phyllis Gordon and Zelda Tannenbaum, New York; and nephew Joshua Pearl, Oregon. A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 11, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton St., State College, PA. An open house will be held for friends and colleagues at Earlystown Manor Bed and Breakfast, 2024 Earlystown Road, Centre Hall, PA, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or to the Department of Entomology within the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. A named endowment supporting graduate students in The Department of Entomology will be created in Zane's honor. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Face Book.