Timothy Hobert Blosser

Blosser was a former chairman of the Dairy and Animal Science Departments at Washington State University in Pullman.

He was born Jan. 7, 1920, in Nappanee, Indiana, to Timothy and Ivy Blosser and was raised on a dairy farm in Nappanee. A graduate of Nappanee High School, he was chosen as valedictorian of his senior class.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University. From 1942 to 1946, he served in the Medical Corps of the U.S. Army.

In 1948, Blosser was appointed to faculty of the Department of Dairy Science at WSU. He was chairman of the Department of Dairy Science1958-61 and Department of Animal Science 1964-74.

In 1974, he joined the Agricultural Research Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)), in Beltsville, Md., and served there until his retirement in 1988.

During his professional career, Blosser was involved in numerous activities of the American Diary Science Association (ADSA). He served as president of the Western Division of ADSA and later as ADSA president, vice president, treasurer and on the board of directors. He was named a fellow of both ADSA and the American Society of Animal Science and received the ADSA Award of Honor.

He received the Outstanding Service Award of the National Dairy Herd Improvement Association and a Certificate of Merit from the USDA. He also was elected to the Washington Purebred Dairy Cattle Hall of Fame.

In 2010, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Animal Sciences Department at Purdue University.

As an animal scientist, he wrote dozens of scientific papers, often teaming up with other experts in his field.

Blosser was sheriff of the Spokane Corral of Westerners, was active with AG Bureau of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, sang with Pages of Harmony barbershop group, and was a member of Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church and Spokane Knife and Fork Club.

An avid genealogist, Blosser was the author of a book called “Ancestors and Descendants of Bishop John Blosser.”

Blosser is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dottie, at home in Spokane; two sons, Patrick, Chatham, N.J., and Douglas, Centralia, Wash.; a daughter, Susan, Olathe, Kan.; two grandsons; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the T.H. Blosser Endowment at WSU Foundation, P.O. Box 641925, Pullman, WA 99164-1925, or to Hamblen Presbyterian Church, 4102 S Crestline St, Spokane, WA 99203.

A Memorial Celebration will be held Monday March 5, 2018 at 2:30pm at Hamblin Park Presbyterian.