Agricultural News
Cattle Industry Leader Richard Gebhart Succumbs After Lengthy Illness
Sat, 30 May 2015 19:48:36 CDT
The current President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association, Richard Gebhart, died Saturday morning in a Tulsa hospital after a lengthy illness. Gebhart, who was in his second year as President of the OCA, was also serving as the Treasurer of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the Vice Chairman of the Oklahoma Beef Council. His family issued the following statement on Saturday afer his passing:
"With heavy hearts our family mourns the passing of Richard Perry Gebhart (Colonel) this morning. Though he fought long and hard, the toll on his health was more than he could bear. We remember him as loving husband, father, and Pepaw. We'll always remember the things he held important - God, family, country, the land and the cattle industry. Ever the student, he loved learning and sharing what he knew with friends, students, and colleagues. He is dearly loved and will be remembered as a blessing in our lives. We know he is with the Lord and rejoice that he is now at home, healthy and happy.
"What the heart has once known will never be forgotten."
In a Facebook message on Saturday, the Executive Director of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Mike Deering, expressed what so many in the cattle industry are feeling after learning of Richard's death- "The beef industry lost one of the very best today and I lost an awesome friend. Richard Gebhart was a leader and unwavering in his pursuit to advance this industry. Most importantly, he was a true blue American, an amazing person and mentor to many."
His sharp mind made his analysis of the EPA's Waters of the US proposed rule one of the best found anywhere in the agricultural community- and he educated thousands of cattle producers and others in the farm and ranch industry about the dangers of WOTUS- and the need to offer comments in 2013 and 2014.
Another key issue tackled by Gebhart as he served on the Federation side of the NCBA was the need for producers to invest in measuring the substainability of the US Beef Business. His efforts to get that research done will be just one of his legacies as he is remembered for years to come.
Earlier this year, Gebhart was the guest of Ron Hays on his In the Field segment as seen on KWTV News9 the first Saturday in February. Click on the PLAY button in the video box below to see that feature as they discussed the start of the state legislature and the federal flap over beef being included in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines.
News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |
Services for Richard Gebhart are pending.
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