Richard H. Forsythe's Obituary
Richard H. Forsythe 93 of Fayetteville, retired Vice-President of Campbell Soup Company and Distinguished Professor of Poultry Science, Emeritus died Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Dr. Forsythe was born and raised in Southwest Iowa, the oldest son of Piercy and Alice Forsythe. He was educated at Griswold High School and Iowa State College, where he received his B. S. in Chemistry in 1943. Forsythe served in the Army under General George S. Patton in France. He was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart in 1944. He earned the Ph. D. in Physical-Biochemistry at Iowa State in 1949. After employment in the food industry, he returned to Iowa State University in 1960 to become Head of the Department of Poultry Science. In 1967, he returned to the food industry and joined the Campbell Soup Company in 1973. In 1980, Forsythe was transferred to the Campbell Soup (Swanson) Operation where he was in charge of live poultry production and research. He retired from that position in December of 1988. In April of 1989 he was appointed to the Arkansas Poultry Federation Endowed Chair as Distinguished Professor of Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas. He retired from that position in 1995 and was Professor Emeritus at the time of his death. Forsythe was recognized internationally as an expert in the technology of poultry and egg processing, food safety and quality management. He was the author of over 40 publication and numerous scientific and industry presentations. He was active in several professional organizations including the Institute of Food Technologists, the Poultry Science Association, the World Poultry Science Associations, the American Chemical Society, the American Institute of Nutrition and others. He was recognized for his achievements by being named the Poultry Industry “Man of the Year in 1971, a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists in 1982, the Arkansas Poultry Industry “Man of the Year” in 1987, the American Poultry Historical Society Hall of Fame in 1989, a Fellow of the Poultry Science Association in 1995, invited to present the WPSA Invited Lecture in 1996, and the Iowa State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ”Citation of Merit” in 1998. As a youth, Dr. Forsythe was active in 4-H programs in Iowa, was awarded a Missouri State National 4-H Alumni award and prior to his death had served on the Arkansas 4-H Foundation Board of Directors. He was active in many industry and community organizations including the United States Department of Agriculture Joint Council on Food and Agriculture, the National Research Council, the Southeastern Egg and Poultry Association, the Arkansas Poultry Federation and the University of Arkansas Retirees Association. He was past president of the Kiwanis Club of Ames, Iowa and a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Fayetteville. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Red Oak Iowa. He was a long time Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Langworthy Forsythe who he married on March 20, 1943, Survivors include his wife, Ruth Alford whom he married on January 2, 2010, three daughters; Sherry Forsythe of Fayetteville, PA, Kay Forsythe, of Rockwall, TX, Patricia Bitsko of Leonard, OK, six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM, Monday, June 29th at First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to the Scholarship Fund of the Butterfield Trail Village Foundation or the Endowment Fund of the First United Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville AR. To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com
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