Obituary of John Baylor

John E. Baylor, 90, of State College, passed away Sunday, May 5, 2013 at Mt. Nittany Medical Center of congestive heart failure. Born September 16, 1922 in Belvidere, NJ, he was the son of Benjamin M and Minnie Baylor. He earned his B.S. degree in Farm Crops from Rutgers University in 1947 (class of '44) after serving 3 1/2 years during WW II in the USAAF as a bombardier and Gunnery Officer on B-24 bombers, and an M.S. degree from Rutgers in 1948. From 1948 - 1955 he was on staff at Rutgers as Extension Crop Specialist, and in 1955 left Rutgers to pursue his Ph.D. at Penn State University. After receiving his degree, he joined the faculty at Penn State in Agronomy Extension. On August 31, 1950 he married Henrietta Hauck in Dunellen, NJ, who survives at home. During his tenure at Penn State he served as Extension Forage Specialist, with a primary goal of helping farmers improve forage production. Dr. Baylor was an organizer of the International Grassland Congresses in Brazil (1964) and chairman of the Governing Board for the XIV Congress in Lexington, KY (1981). While on sabbatical leave in 1970 he traveled extensively with his family around the world, presenting lectures in both New Zealand and Australia. From 1973-77, Dr. Baylor and PSU participated in a 5-year contract with the Bahamian government, making several trips there to assist in the development of an applied research oriented Agricultural Research Center on Andros Island, Bahamas. While at Penn State, he was an active member of the American Society of Agronomy and the American Forage and Grassland Council, a founding member of the Pennsylvania Forage and Grassland Council, and was widely published in his field, receiving awards from many national and international societies. He was fondly known to many as "Mr. Alfalfa" and "the Moses of Penn State Agriculture." In 1983 he retired from Penn State as Professor Emeritus of Agronomy Extension, then joined Beachley-Hardy Seed Company as Director of Market Development until 1991. In 1987 he became the Executive Director of the Atlantic Seedsmen's Association, a position he held until 2002. He was involved professionally in national and international associations until his death. Locally he was actively involved in the State College Kiwanis Club and the Pasto Agricultural Museum at Penn State, and was an avid Lady Lions Basketball fan. Throughout his time in State College, he was a longtime active member of State College Presbyterian Church, where he served faithfully as a Deacon and Elder. In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by two daughters: Sue Colbath (Donald) of Austin, TX, and Martha Trout (Kerry) of State College, PA as well as two granddaughters, Jillian Keith of Austin, TX and Kristen Trout of Exeter, NH and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents a brother Horace A. Baylor preceded him in death. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed by his family and friends. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 am on Friday, May 10 in the Martin Room at State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Ave., State College, PA, and a funeral service will follow at 11:30 am with Rev. Joel Blunk and Rev. Alfred Wilson officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Centre County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to State College Presbyterian Church or Penn State's Pasto Agricultural Museum. Arrangements are under the care of Koch's Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.