Stakman received an M.A. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1910 and a Ph.D. degree in 1913 under the direction of E. M. Freeman. In 1913, Stakman became head of the Section of Plant Pathology and Agricultural Botany at the University of Minnesota, a position he held until his retirement in 1953. Stakman aided in describing physiological races of rust, a discovery that led to an effort to breed resistant wheat. He also was instrumental in starting the program to eradicate barberry bushes in 1918, a major undertaking to eliminate this alternate host for the black stem rust pathogen. Stakman published more than 300 papers and several books and made a tremendous effort to engage and challenge students and promote a high quality of education. He served as president of APS in 1922 and received the Award of Distinction from the society in 1967.
(Submitted for publication in July 2008.)
