Agricultural News
Oklahoma Cattlemen Honors Late Richard Gebhart as Hall of Fame Inductee
Tue, 28 Jul 2015 17:02:43 CDT
The late Richard Gebhart was inducted into the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Hall of Fame during the recent Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association (OCA) Convention and Trade Show.
Richard Gebhart, passed away on May 31. At the time of his passing, he was serving as OCA president and would have finished his term on July 25, 2015.
Richard is the third inductee into the OCA Hall of Fame and will always be remembered as an exemplary leader in the beef industry.
Richard and his family operated Beacon Hill Ranch, a Hereford operation established in northeastern Oklahoma in 1909. He was an active volunteer leader in the cattle industry for many years at all levels. Nationally he was named treasurer of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and served as chairman of the Federation of State Beef Councils and vice chair of the Joint Issues Management Subcommittee. He also served as an advisor on several sustainability efforts involving the beef supply chain, and participated in writing a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment of the U.S. beef supply chain.
"He was an outstanding leader with an unparalleled vision and commitment for moving our cattle industry forward," said newly elected OCA President, Charlie Swanson.
In Oklahoma, Richard was extremely active in the beef cattle industry. He was a lifetime member and president of the OCA. He was vice-chair and former treasurer of the Oklahoma Beef Council. He was a past chairman of the Tulsa State Fair Junior Livestock Auction Committee and served as a board member of the Rogers County Cattlemen's Association, as well as treasurer of the Rogers County Fair Board.
"Richard was always fully engaged to the task at hand. His laughter and smile were contagious and his words were always seasoned with wisdom and sound thought," continued Swanson. "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."
In addition to the ranching operation, Richard was professor of operations management and director of assessment in the Collins College of Business at the University of Tulsa (TU). He held a law degree from TU; an MBA from Syracuse University; a master's degree in agricultural economics/animal science from Mississippi State University; and a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Arkansas, doing post graduate work at the University of Kansas. Before joining the faculty at TU, Richard served a thirty year career in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer retiring as a colonel.
"In honor of Richard, the family has established an education leadership fund through the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation that will assist students who are seeking advanced degrees and have long-term goals for active leadership in the beef cattle industry," Swanson said.
For more information about the Gebhart Legacy Fund call 405-235-4391 or visit www.okcattlemen.org.
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