..
THE LIFE & TIMES OF DR. JOHN E. OSGUTHORPE
WHERE TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION
DR. JOHN E. OSGUTHORPE
Book 1
See
Book 2
Hard Cover 8.5 x 11
See
his page for Google, Yahoo, MSN
Double
click cover for larger image
"John's life has been one of exceptional service to
mankind. He has probably done more to alleviate hunger in the world than any
other Utahn."
Quote from Utah State University Honorary Doctorate
Degree.
John was born January 22, 1916, in Salt Lake City,
Utah, the oldest son and second child of Edgar and Hazel Capson Osguthorpe's ten
children. He attended primary, junior and senior high school in Salt Lake
County, and graduated from Utah State University in Logan, Utah, June 1939, with
a major in Agronomy and Soils, and a double minor in Animal Husbandry and
Horticulture. He worked as a ranch hand in Ruby Valley, Nevada, during the
summers from1935-1939 to partially pay his way through college. Upon graduation,
he began employment with Porter Walton Seed Company in Salt Lake City, in charge
of the Field Seed Division as seed inspector, buyer, processor, and salesman.
In 1942, John joined the U.S. Navy Aviation Section and was as
signed
to a Heavy Bomber Squadron in the South Pacific. He was awarded Silver Wings and
three Gold Stars for combat on land, air, and sea, and in 1945, he was presented
the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Double click photos for
larger image.
From 1946 to 1953, John held the position of
Superintendent and Research Agronomist at the University of Alaska Agriculture
Experimental Station in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1951, he completed his Master's
degree in Agronomy and Seed Production at Montana State University, and then
pursued a Ph.D. degree at Oregon State University and was made a member of Sigma
Psi.
In 1955, John accepted a position as Regional Research Agronomist at the Agency
for International Development (AID), Department of State, Washington, D.C. His
first assignment was as a Research Agronomist in Beirut, Lebanon. After three
and one half years there, he transferred to Tunis, Tunisia, to serve as
Agriculture Advisor for two years. In 1960, he was reassigned to Mississippi
State University to head up a university contract team (seed technology
division) to conduct a seed producton and processing program for AID throughout
various parts of the world.
In 1962, John was assigned by AID to serve as Deputy Food and Agriculture
Officer in the countries of Morocco and Magreb.
Double
click photo for larger image.
He was assigned in 1965 to
Washington staff headquarters as Chief of Agriculture Materials Division,
Technical Assistance Bureau, with worldwide responsibility for fertilizers,
chemicals, seeds, horticulture crops, and plant introduction. He also monitored
four International Research Projects in wheat and corn in Mexico, pulses and
beans in Nigeria, rice in Bangladesh and Philipines, and potatoes in Lima and
Huancayo, Peru. While serving in this capacity, he received the Department of
State's Superior Service Award and $1500, which he received for his outstanding
contribution in carrying out the objectives of the War on Hunger to help bridge
the growing worldwide gap between population and available food resources. He
was advanced to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, receiving the top civil
service rating, F.S. R-1. This placed him in the executive staff of government.
Funding for his office was half a billion dollars, with coverage over one
hundred countries.
In 1971 John was assigned to Dakar, Senegal, as the Regional Food and
Agriculture Officer for six countries. During this period, John
was awarded the Special Achievement Award by the Department of State. He was
also honored with listings in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Science, Who's
Who in Government, and Who's Who in Universities. In 1973, he went to Monrovia, Liberia, to develop the West
Africa Rice Development Association. WARDA was comprised of fourteen countries
of Central West Africa, all of which he visited often.
John retired in January 1975, following nearly thirty
years of service outside the then continental United States.
Double click photo
for larger image.
At that time, he
held responsibilities in 100 countries in one capacity or another. Even after
retirement, John's expertise was sought. Twice he traveled to Conakry, Guinea,
for the Department of State at the request of Sekau Toure, president of Guinea.
His purpose was to assist in the establishment of a University of Agriculture
and Experimental Station program. He also traveled to Niamey, Niger, for the
Consortium for International Development representing Utah State University and
four other universities.
An Annual Report in 1968 states: "In addition to
being a competent agriculture technologist, John has a comprehension and
detailed knowledge of the structure of production, utilization and trade in
fertilizer, pesticides and agricultural chemicals special ties throughout the
world. He has a broad global knowledge of economics and technical development in
processing, marketing, manufacturing, as well as demand production and pricing
in the world markets."
His performance summary as Regional Food and
Agricultural Officer for 1971 states: "He possesses that rare combination
of extensive knowledge in his field, considerable and varied experience, both
practical and academic, a clear understanding of the responsibilities which his
position involves, and an untiring devotion to the aims and goals of U.S.
assistance to developing nations."
Certificate of
Achievement Award – US Department of State/AID, July 24, 1972. Presented by
American Ambassador Clark, in Daker, Senegal.
Double click photo for larger
image.
A quote by a Division Chief about John: "This
dedicated, sincere, selfless agency officer is unusual among AID technical
resources, having a knowledge and technical expertise, a liaison working and
coordinating capacity seldom duplicated."
In 1993, he joined the Old Main Society through a gift to the John E and Ruth M
Endowment. At the Founder's Day Award Ceremony, he was honored with the
Distinguished Alumni Award.
Double click photo for
larger image.
In June 1998, he was honored with an
Honorary Doctorate Degree from Utah State University.
Top
