In Memory Of
Walter Porter
Walter Porter
Walter H. Porter, a legend in Kansas farming and ranching for 60 years, died Tuesday, July 13, 2004, in his home after a brief illness. He was 84.
Mr. Porter was a life long farmer and rancher, who in his long and active life received numerous awards from the Farm Bureau, Livestock Association and numerous agricultural organizations.
Bill House of Cedar Vale, a prominent state cattleman, said of him:
"My good friend, Walter Porter, was one of the most innovative members of the livestock industry. He continually improved methods of growing grass and forage and converting it to desirable and efficient feed for his beef production program. Walter was an eternal optimist and used his vast experience to better recognize the changes taking place within the industry and how to successfully meet the challenges they presented.
"His friends always admired and appreciated his honesty and integrity and considered it a privilege and a pleasure to have been his close friend."
Mr. Porter began his farming career with a partnership with his parents in 1936 in Council Grove and he farmed on his own land after 1942. In 1958, he purchased the 5,000-acre Miller Ranch at Miller, Ks. and expanded it into one of the largest cattle operations in Kansas.
He participated in many community and farm organizations. He was state president in 1938 of the Future Farmers of America. He taught vocational agriculture for two years in Alma and Junction City. He taught vocational agriculture to veterans for 12 years in the Council Grove area.
Mr. Porter served on the Kansas Farm Bureau board of directors from 1958 to 1970. He was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association and was appointed in 1970 by Secretary of Agriculture Hardin to the National Cattle Industry Advisory Committee to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kansas State University named him a Kansas Master Farmer in 1972. He was named "Farm-Feeder of the Year" in 1973 by Feedlot Management, a nationally circulated magazine for livestock feeders. He was selected as Kansas State University Block and Bridle Club Outstanding Stockman for 1974 and his portrait was added to its Hall of Fame gallery.
He served on the KTWU Public Television board of directors for many years. Gov. Joan Finney appointed him to a four-year term on the Kansas Oil and Gas Advisory Commission. He also was a director of the Kansas State University Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Mr. Porter was born on Feb. 24, 1920, in Morris County, to Alfred and Emma Haucke Porter. He graduated in 1938 from Council Grove High School and from Kansas State University in 1942 with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture.
His son, Richard Walter Porter, joined him in the farming and ranching business in 1979. After the unexpected death, in 1980, of his wife, Louise Anderson Porter, a former Kansas State Senator, he turned the operation over to his son and retired from active management. He enjoyed daily visits to the ranch and often gave tours to family and friends.
He married Maxine Burke in 1982 in Topeka. They enjoyed extensive travel and many friends and activities in Topeka. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Downtown Topeka Lions Club, Diversified Investment Club and Topeka Country Club.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Burke Porter, Topeka, his son and daughter-in-law, Richard Walter Porter and Sarah Porter, Miller; his daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Dr. Barry Murphy, Wichita; five grandchildren, John Justin Murphy, Minneapolis, MN, Mark David Murphy, Dodge City, Ryan Walter Porter, Palo Alto, Calif., Eric Andrew Porter, San Francisco, and Ruth Louis Porter, Miller; a brother Gene Porter, Fergus Falls, Minn.; and 10 nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Louise, he also was preceded in death by an infant son, Jon Fredrick Porter; his parents, Alfred and Emma Haucke Porter; a brother, Lowell S. Porter; and a sister, Mary Louise Porter Richardson.
Mr. Porter was cremated. Memorial services will be 10:00 am Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Topeka. Inurnment services will be 3:00 pm at Greenwood Cemetery in Council Grove.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Downtown Topeka Lions Club, 70 SW Peppertree Ln., Topeka, 66611 or to the First Presbyterian Church, 415 SW 8th St., Topeka, 66603.
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.penwellgabel.com.
Mr. Porter was a life long farmer and rancher, who in his long and active life received numerous awards from the Farm Bureau, Livestock Association and numerous agricultural organizations.
Bill House of Cedar Vale, a prominent state cattleman, said of him:
"My good friend, Walter Porter, was one of the most innovative members of the livestock industry. He continually improved methods of growing grass and forage and converting it to desirable and efficient feed for his beef production program. Walter was an eternal optimist and used his vast experience to better recognize the changes taking place within the industry and how to successfully meet the challenges they presented.
"His friends always admired and appreciated his honesty and integrity and considered it a privilege and a pleasure to have been his close friend."
Mr. Porter began his farming career with a partnership with his parents in 1936 in Council Grove and he farmed on his own land after 1942. In 1958, he purchased the 5,000-acre Miller Ranch at Miller, Ks. and expanded it into one of the largest cattle operations in Kansas.
He participated in many community and farm organizations. He was state president in 1938 of the Future Farmers of America. He taught vocational agriculture for two years in Alma and Junction City. He taught vocational agriculture to veterans for 12 years in the Council Grove area.
Mr. Porter served on the Kansas Farm Bureau board of directors from 1958 to 1970. He was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association and was appointed in 1970 by Secretary of Agriculture Hardin to the National Cattle Industry Advisory Committee to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kansas State University named him a Kansas Master Farmer in 1972. He was named "Farm-Feeder of the Year" in 1973 by Feedlot Management, a nationally circulated magazine for livestock feeders. He was selected as Kansas State University Block and Bridle Club Outstanding Stockman for 1974 and his portrait was added to its Hall of Fame gallery.
He served on the KTWU Public Television board of directors for many years. Gov. Joan Finney appointed him to a four-year term on the Kansas Oil and Gas Advisory Commission. He also was a director of the Kansas State University Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Mr. Porter was born on Feb. 24, 1920, in Morris County, to Alfred and Emma Haucke Porter. He graduated in 1938 from Council Grove High School and from Kansas State University in 1942 with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture.
His son, Richard Walter Porter, joined him in the farming and ranching business in 1979. After the unexpected death, in 1980, of his wife, Louise Anderson Porter, a former Kansas State Senator, he turned the operation over to his son and retired from active management. He enjoyed daily visits to the ranch and often gave tours to family and friends.
He married Maxine Burke in 1982 in Topeka. They enjoyed extensive travel and many friends and activities in Topeka. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Downtown Topeka Lions Club, Diversified Investment Club and Topeka Country Club.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Burke Porter, Topeka, his son and daughter-in-law, Richard Walter Porter and Sarah Porter, Miller; his daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Dr. Barry Murphy, Wichita; five grandchildren, John Justin Murphy, Minneapolis, MN, Mark David Murphy, Dodge City, Ryan Walter Porter, Palo Alto, Calif., Eric Andrew Porter, San Francisco, and Ruth Louis Porter, Miller; a brother Gene Porter, Fergus Falls, Minn.; and 10 nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Louise, he also was preceded in death by an infant son, Jon Fredrick Porter; his parents, Alfred and Emma Haucke Porter; a brother, Lowell S. Porter; and a sister, Mary Louise Porter Richardson.
Mr. Porter was cremated. Memorial services will be 10:00 am Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Topeka. Inurnment services will be 3:00 pm at Greenwood Cemetery in Council Grove.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Downtown Topeka Lions Club, 70 SW Peppertree Ln., Topeka, 66611 or to the First Presbyterian Church, 415 SW 8th St., Topeka, 66603.
Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.penwellgabel.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter Porter, please visit our flower store.
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