Reuben Albaugh: 1901 - 1995

Reuben Albaugh, Emeritus Livestock Specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension, passed away October 8, 1995, in Davis.

Born in Pittville, Shasta County, Reub spent his formative years on the HH Albaugh livestock ranch and being educated at Pittville and McArthur schools. After graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in Animal Science and a minor in journalism, Reub began his 62 year career with the University of California Cooperative Extension.

As an assistant Farm Advisor in Monterey County starting in 1927, he skillfully made agriculture research understandable for the cattlemen and farmers of the area. Among his numerous county projects from 1927 to 1949, Reub organized the very successful Monterey County Cow Testing Association, formed the renowned Monterey County Cattlemen Association and promoted numerous grain-crop field experiments. Through an extensive vaccination program, Reub pioneered the use of Strain 19 Vaccine for the control of Brucellosis.

In 1949, Reub became the Extension Animal Scientist at UC Davis responsible for beef cattle, sheep, swine and horse programs for the 26 Northern California counties. During his years at UCD, Reub's research, writing and teaching featured crossbreeding programs for increased rate and economy of gain in beef cattle, studies on the economy of gain in carcass composition, experiments to enhance breeding efficiency in beef and dairy cattle and the extensive development of education and field demonstration meetings. Reub officially retired in 1967 but was re-hired on a part-time basis until he retired again in 1989.

In his professional lifetime, Reub authored more than 500 research papers and popular articles and five books devoted to education and experimentation in agriculture. Among his favorite writings were Cattle, Country and Champions, in which he told tales of his western life and the people he met along the way.

His career with the University was filled with numerous honors, awards and recognitions. Among many were the "Cattlemen's Cattle-man" by the Swift Co.; the Animal Science Extension Pfitzer Award; the Golden Fleece Award from the California Wool Growers Association; the Pioneer Award from the Beef Improvement Federation; and his memoirs, The College Cowboy, recorded by the UCD Oral History Center.

Reuben loved his large extended family including his sister Velma, brothers Ed and Albert, his children, Barbara Kraus of Pacific Grove and Glen Albaugh of Stockton, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Vira, his wife and dancing partner for 67 years, preceded him in death in 1994.

Several months ago, the Department of animal Science established "The Reuben Albaugh Scholarship for Farm Advisors and Specialists" as a lasting tribute to a generation of educators and for the continuing education of farm advisors and specialists. Interest from this endowment fund will be used to support farm advisors who wish to spend three to six months at UC Davis to study and work with faculty and Extension specialists on projects of mutual interest. The scholarship may also be used to support students who wish to pursue a career in Cooperative Extension. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please make checks payable to the "U. C. Davis Foundation" and send to:

The Reuben Albaugh Scholarship Fund
Department of Animal Science
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA 95616