USA Rice extends condolences to the family and friends of Terry Siebenmorgen, of Logan County, Arkansas, who passed away on Sunday, at the age of 63. He is survived by his wife, Patty, sons Justin and Ryan, and preceded in death by his son, Matthew.
Terry grew up on a dairy farm, and got an undergraduate degree in ag engineering from the University of Arkansas, combining his technical prowess with his love of agriculture. He then received a master's degree from Purdue and a doctorate from the University of Nebraska before returning to the UofA in 1984 to work as a food engineer.
“Terry was one of the most professional individuals I ever worked with,” said Bob Scott, director of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. “’Integrity,’ ‘honesty,’ ‘great person,’ are among the words most often used to describe him. He was an institution for us here in the Division of Ag, and blazed a trail with his industry alliances that many to come will follow. Terry will be sorely missed by us all.”
An international leader in rice research, particularly in the processing and drying of the cereal grain, Terry served as Distinguished Professor and Director of the University of Arkansas Rice Processing Program, which he started in 1994. He was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2019.
“Not only has Dr. Siebenmorgen impacted the U.S. rice industry with his research, but also through educating a large number of students that are currently serving this great industry in many ways,” said Keith Glover, CEO at Producers Rice Mill. “In my opinion, the educational and research seeds Dr. Siebenmorgen planted in his former students will be producing fruit for the U.S. rice industry for many decades to come.”
USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward remembers Terry as “usually the smartest guy in the room. He helped me and USA Rice a great deal with his innovative ideas and leadership of the Rice Processing Program. His enthusiasm for his work and life was infectious, and he impacted many people in the rice industry. We will miss him deeply.”
A rosary service will be held this Friday, November 27, at 10:30 am, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas, followed by the funeral at 11 am.
Go
here for a comprehensive review of Dr. Siebenmorgen's ag legacy and testimonials from his UofA colleagues.