Arthur Lawrence Bakke was born in Horace, North Dakota, on June 26, 1886, to parents Martin and Angnette Sundt Bakke. In 1893, he moved with his family to Forest City, Iowa, where he graduated from high school. He then enrolled in Iowa State College (University) and received a B.S. (1909) and an M.S. (1911) in plant pathology and bacteriology. He received his Ph.D. (1917) from the University of Chicago in plant physiology, plant pathology, and physiological chemistry.



As a plant physiologist and instructor, Dr. Bakke spent two years (1909-1910) at Elgin Academy (Illinois). From there he was hired by Iowa State as an Instructor (1910-1911) of botany. He was promoted to Assistant Professor (1912-1916), Associate Professor (1917-1924) and Professor (1925-1956). Bakke was also a collaborator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Botany and Plant Pathology Section, as a Research Professor (1937-1956).



Bakke devoted his professional energies to weed control. He made significant contributions to weed control in Iowa with his studies in root reserves in perennial weeds, notably European bind weed and leafy spurge, and with his early work with sodium chlorate and Atlacide. In 1944, Bakke was helpful in the organization of the North Central Weed Control Conference, and served as the organization's Research Committee Chairman as well as in other capacities. In 1954, he was elected honorary member of the organization. Bakke was also active in the development of the American Society of Plant Physiologists.



Bakke married Josephine Arnquist on August 25, 1929. Josephine was the Director of Girls 4-H Club Work in Iowa. She died on August 24, 1948. Bakke later married Jeanette Donhowe Henderson on July 19, 1952. Bakke died on December 25, 1972 in Ames, Iowa, and is buried in the Iowa State University Cemetery.