In Memory Of
Dr. Robert Dawson
1928
2021
Dr. Robert Dawson
May 1, 1928 — August 4, 2021
GEORGE ROBERT DAWSON formerly of Las Cruces, New Mexico passed away Wednesday, August 4, 2021 in Topeka Kansas of a life well lived.
He was born near Donna, Texas on small truck farm, May 1, 1928 to Raymond Earl Dawson and Sarah Maud (McConnaughey) Dawson.
He was raised in Woodson county Kansas, and south central New Mexico. He moved from Kansas to a farm near Cedarvale, NM in 1939 and moved to Topeka in 1994. He married Marjorie Helen Davis of Hinesburg Vermont in 1952. She died in Topeka in 1996. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Raymond Eugene, Lester, and Marvin Dawson and sister, Gladys Grabowski; brother in law and his wife, Byron Davis Ann and sister in law Marion Davis.
He graduated from High school in Corona, NM in 1946, New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State University) 1950, University of Missouri 1955, and Cornell University with a PhD in Agricultural Economics 1958. He was a professor at NM State University (formerly NMA&M). He was also Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business there for 20 years before retiring in 1986. He earlier served as an Agricultural Extension Agent in NM. He retired in 1986 having served over 33 years at the university.
He served as an armored infantry and Chemical, Biological Radiological Warfare officer during the Korean War 1950-52 in the 2nd Armored Division in Germany. He was discharged from the army reserve in 1962 with the rank of Captain.
Major career interests were agricultural policy, farm management, world food problems and water needs, land use and conservation for a growing world population. He loved agriculture and the farmers and ranchers who he respected as the backbone of America. He was a member of the Western and the American and the International Agricultural Economics Associations, American Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Association, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge, and Toastmasters Club. He was a Council of Economic advisor to three NM governors in agricultural and economic affairs. He authored and co-authored fifty agricultural economic publications. He did extensive public speaking in his career as an Agricultural Economist.
He was an active member and High Priest of the Colly Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served for time as a Temple Worker in the new St Louis Temple when it opened and was interested in family history and genealogy.
He married Grace Evelyn Kathrens Schultz in March 2001. She died December 2011.
He is survived by a daughter Marian Elizabeth Dawson; and grandchildren Aubri Madeline Dawson, Sera Eden Dawson and Andrew Robert Dawson of Topeka; sister in law, Nadine Dawson in Las Cruces, NM, and many nephews and nieces.
Private family burial will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago (Craniofacial Department), 2211 N Oak Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60707 or to the Department of Agricultural Economics Scholarship Fund, MSC 3169 NMSU, P.O. Box 30003 Las Cruces, NM 88003.
To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born near Donna, Texas on small truck farm, May 1, 1928 to Raymond Earl Dawson and Sarah Maud (McConnaughey) Dawson.
He was raised in Woodson county Kansas, and south central New Mexico. He moved from Kansas to a farm near Cedarvale, NM in 1939 and moved to Topeka in 1994. He married Marjorie Helen Davis of Hinesburg Vermont in 1952. She died in Topeka in 1996. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Raymond Eugene, Lester, and Marvin Dawson and sister, Gladys Grabowski; brother in law and his wife, Byron Davis Ann and sister in law Marion Davis.
He graduated from High school in Corona, NM in 1946, New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State University) 1950, University of Missouri 1955, and Cornell University with a PhD in Agricultural Economics 1958. He was a professor at NM State University (formerly NMA&M). He was also Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business there for 20 years before retiring in 1986. He earlier served as an Agricultural Extension Agent in NM. He retired in 1986 having served over 33 years at the university.
He served as an armored infantry and Chemical, Biological Radiological Warfare officer during the Korean War 1950-52 in the 2nd Armored Division in Germany. He was discharged from the army reserve in 1962 with the rank of Captain.
Major career interests were agricultural policy, farm management, world food problems and water needs, land use and conservation for a growing world population. He loved agriculture and the farmers and ranchers who he respected as the backbone of America. He was a member of the Western and the American and the International Agricultural Economics Associations, American Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers Association, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge, and Toastmasters Club. He was a Council of Economic advisor to three NM governors in agricultural and economic affairs. He authored and co-authored fifty agricultural economic publications. He did extensive public speaking in his career as an Agricultural Economist.
He was an active member and High Priest of the Colly Creek Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served for time as a Temple Worker in the new St Louis Temple when it opened and was interested in family history and genealogy.
He married Grace Evelyn Kathrens Schultz in March 2001. She died December 2011.
He is survived by a daughter Marian Elizabeth Dawson; and grandchildren Aubri Madeline Dawson, Sera Eden Dawson and Andrew Robert Dawson of Topeka; sister in law, Nadine Dawson in Las Cruces, NM, and many nephews and nieces.
Private family burial will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago (Craniofacial Department), 2211 N Oak Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60707 or to the Department of Agricultural Economics Scholarship Fund, MSC 3169 NMSU, P.O. Box 30003 Las Cruces, NM 88003.
To leave a message for his family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Robert Dawson, please visit our flower store.
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