Elizabeth “Beth” Willhite worked for the Forest Service, primarily in the Pacific Northwest Region, in a career that spanned 40 years. Beth was born in Taylorville, Illinois, in 1954, and grew up on a farm that was in the family for generations. She applied the midwestern values and work ethic she learned from her parents throughout her life.

Beth earned her bachelor's degree in forestry at the University of Illinois, followed by a master’s degree in forest entomology from the University of Idaho. In 1977, she married Mark Willhite, and in 1979, they moved to Oregon where Beth worked on Umpqua National Forest and, importantly, where her children Allegra, Dalen and Matt were born. Beth took a break from work to focus on raising her children and tending to her garden and pygmy goats. 

She returned to work for the Forest Service as a temporary entomologist on western spruce budworm spray projects during the summer. She later joined the Forest Service as a full-time entomologist, working in the regional office in Portland before moving to Mt. Hood National Forest. Beth worked as an entomologist throughout the Pacific Northwest Region for most of her career. She was recognized nationally for her knowledge of seed and cone insects, but she also continued to remeasure long-term western spruce budworm plots in the Blue Mountains. She worked tirelessly with the Forest Service Library to establish the gray literature project to ensure historical information was not lost. 

After fully retiring just over a year ago, Beth traveled back to Illinois to the family farm to work the land with her brother before he retired. She loved hiking and traveling, especially international travel with friends and family; in particular, Mexico, Italy and South America.  

Beth was a passionate, skilled, pulaski-wielding entomologist who helped shape what we are in Forest Health Protection today. Beth’s kind spirit made her one of the best mentors and friends, not to mention Forest Health Protection’s biggest cheerleader.

While many of her happiest times were with her family or friends, she deeply loved her profession and found joy in her work. Beth considered the friendships she gained from her work to be equal to her many professional accomplishments. She leaves behind a close-knit family including children and grandchildren in Oregon, as well as extended family in Illinois.