Birth date: Apr 22, 1945 Death date: Mar 13, 2026
Devoted husband and father, beloved professor, mentor to thousands, and faithful servant of God. Dr. David “Dave” Longer passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, leaving a legacy of faith, love, curiosity, and service that touch Read Obituary
I am so sorry to read this. What a great man who always had a smile and an encouraging word every time I saw him. Please know I send prayers for comfort for the coming days.
Robin Hall Guadagnini
Dave was one of my favorite people. He was always funny and full of wit. I will miss his dropping in and visiting. RIP.
I was in Dr. Longer’s introductory to agronomy class in 1990. Not only did Dr. Longer’s passion for agriculture rub off on me. His teachings and what I learned from him have carried me through my 32 year career in the agriculture industry!
I only recall just a handful of professors at THE UofA. Even though I’ve not seen Dr. Longer since I was in his 1990 class. I’ve never forgotten his kindness, and how special he was to me!
May a peace and comfort only our Heavenly Father can provide surround the family and friends of Dr. Longer!
Glenn Kernodle
It is a great loss to lose my friend, Dave. When I joined the Agronomy faculty in 1984, Dave greeted me with a hearty handshake and broad smile. He helped me procure a small grant for research on wheat as a forage crop. He also provided a graduate student who just started his program with Dave, and was looking for a project to do. Dave's tremendous support got my career off to a good start, and provided a new graduate student with a very interesting and fruitful project. We ended up publishing three peer-reviewed papers from that student's thesis, which, in turn, helped me get promoted.
In the last two years, well into both of our retirements, I have reconnected with Dave on neighborhood walks and as a coffee buddy with other UA retirees. My wife, Jane, and I also enjoyed the great pleasure of getting to know Dave's loving wife, Elaine, and his dear daughter, Gretchen. Dr. David Longer was a fantastic husband, father, professional colleague, friend, and mentor of students.
My fondest memory of Dr. Dave Longer was working with him in hosting the FFA Crops judging contest during the first few years of my career at CSES - late '90s to early 2000s. We had held this event at the Bud Walton Arena and at the Agri Park. Dave always exudes a joyful, determined, positive aura. People are naturally drawn to him, me included. At times I conjure a 'student-first' stamp on his forehead. He is such a wonderful mentor without even trying. I admire his versatility, his love for the outdoors, the drive to make a difference in people's lives. One thing I did not know, and just learned now, is his ability to defuse bombs. That is one of the most potentially perilous activities one could do; he was blessed to survive that unscathed. I missed him when he retired. Now that he has gone home to our Creator, I am thankful for the full life of faith, love, and service that he lived. The memory of him will live on in the hearts of those whom his life has touched. (Nilda Roma Burgos, CSES Faculty)
