Agricultural News
Called a Leader and Mentor to Many, Beef Cattle Industry Mourns the Passing of Richard Gebhart
Mon, 01 Jun 2015 03:15:43 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. These three groups have now released statements about Colonel Gebhart and his impact on their organizations and and the beef cattle industry in general:
"Richard's impact on each of us is far greater than words can describe. He was a tireless worker on behalf of U.S. cattlemen. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time." Forrest Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, National Cattlemen's Beef Association
"We mourn Richard's passing, the man we called Colonel, but we celebrate his life with his family and friends and the blessing he was to all of us. As a retired Colonel, US Army , he was a mentor to so many and a unique leaders with great vision and an intelligence and skill set of immense depth and breadth that is impossible to replace, but most importantly he was a wonderful friend who challenged and inspired each of us. He led with a servant heart and loved the cattle industry and always worked to its betterment. His passing requires all of us who served the industry to step up to another level and make him proud. We express our deepest condolences and his prayers to his family and his friends." Heather Buckmaster, Executive Director, Oklahoma Beef Council
"It is with sad and heavy hearts that we say goodbye to OCA President Richard Gebhart. Richard was a strong leader, a devoted family man and a true friend. Our prayers are for his family especially his wife Susan and his daughters and their families during this difficult time. Colonel Gebhart lived the fullest of what we all hold dear - God, family, country, the land and the cattle industry. He approached all things with dedication to learning, respect for all input and commitment to the betterment of the world around him. While he will be sorely missed, we honor his legacy by dedicating ourselves to continuing the highest standards that he held for himself and his industry." Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Details are pending for the Memorial service to celebrate the life of Richard Gebhart on Thursday. On Saturday- his family issued the following statement regarding Richard's 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 2014. A conversation with Richard was featured last June as a Beef Buzz on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network. Click here to go back and hear his comments on what he called a huge land grab that EPA was wanting to unleash on American agriculture.
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 in the years to come.
Earlier in 2015, 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 not being included in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines.
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