In Memoriam: Doug Mampe

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dr. Doug Mampe, a respected entomologist and educator, passed away on Saturday. He was 84.

Throughout a career that spanned more than 40 years, Mampe left his mark in the pest control industry in the areas of research, technical leadership and industry advocacy, including serving as technical director of the National Pest Control Association (now NPMA), from 1965 to 1974.

After earning his undergraduate degree in entomology from Iowa State University, Mampe received a master’s degree from North Dakota State University in 1962 and completed his Ph.D. in entomology at North Carolina State University in 1965.

As technical director of NPCA, Mampe authored more than 2,000 pages of technical releases and presented hundreds of seminars for the pest management industry throughout the U.S.

Following his time with NPCA, Mampe held key roles as technical director and general manager at Western Industries and Residex and, since 1980, he worked as a consultant. Mampe also served as a columnist and technical editor for Pest Management Professional magazine.

His writing, grounded in science and real-world experience, helped educate and train countless pest management professionals.  As part of a letter recommending Mampe for an entomology award, fellow consultant Larry Pinto wrote that Mampe "transferred the science of entomology into practical and effective pest management through his consulting services, training of pest management professionals, articles in trade journals, participation at science and pest control conferences, liaisons with government regulators, work on committees, work with pesticide and equipment manufacturers and mentoring."

Rick Cooper, R Cooper Consultants, became acquainted with Mampe when he was hired as consultant at Cooper Pest Control (his family’s pest control business). He considered Mampe one of his most important mentors and the two became lifelong friends.

Cooper described Mampe as quiet and reserved, but for those who were fortunate enough to know and work with him, there was no one more knowledgeable in the industry. "Doug was among my greatest mentors for which I will always remain in his debt. I am grateful for his mentorship and more importantly his friendship over the 40+ years of my professional career. It’s had to put into words just how impactful Doug was during his career, with his passing, the industry has lost a classic urban entomologist and giant in the pest management industry. He will be greatly missed."

Per his wishes, Mampe will not have a memorial service.