Combs, Ova Beetem "O. B. " b. 12 Nov 1908 Emmalena, Knott, Kentucky, USA d. 10 Nov 2004 Madison, Dane, Wisconsin, USA: 1FAMILYTREE Genealogy

1908 - 2004 (95 years) Has no ancestors but 4 descendants in this family tree.

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Name	Combs, Ova Beetem "O. B. "
Nickname	O. B.
Born	12 Nov 1908	Emmalena, Knott, Kentucky, USA
Gender	Male
Death Record - Civil	10 Nov 2004
O. B. Combs 12 Nov 1908 10 Nov 2004 Madison, Dane, Wisconsin
Obituary	10 Nov 2004
Need to get copy Published Nov 12, 2004 COMBS, Ova Beetem, 95, Madison, Nov. 10. Combs, Ova Beetem MADISON - OvaBeetem Combs, professor of horticulture, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, UW-Madison, died on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004. O.B. Combs was born on Nov. 12, 1908, in Emmalena, Ky., the son of Wiley A. and Mary Jane (Gayheart) Combs. He was a student at the College of Agriculture, Purdue University, majoring in horticulture and entomology, receiving a B.S. degree in 1930. He joined the faculty of the UW-Madison as an assistant horticulturist that same year. He earned an M.S. degree in horticulture at UW-Madison in 1932. O.B. was promoted to assistant professor in 1939, associate professor in 1942, and became a full professor in 1949. He served as chairman of the Department of Horticulture from 1949 to 1965. During his long career at UW-Madison he served in all three of the University academic areas: instruction, research and extension. He taught a course in "Vegetable Crops" from 1953 to 1964, as well as leading a seminar in "Tropical Food Crops" later in his career. His research was devoted to the improvement of vegetable crops. Here he developed a number of new cultivars, including such popular ones as the "Early Scarlet" tomato and the "Wisconsin Lakes" pepper. His extension program activities dealt largely with home and 4-H Club project vegetable production through conducting meeting and radio programs and authoring many extension publications, as well as the training of county extension personnel in horticultural subject matter. During World War II, O.B. led the statewide "Wisconsin Victory Garden" extension program, which promoted family home vegetable production and preservation during the war. From 1965 to 1968 Professor Combs served as the chief of party of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) program, building a new university campus in the western state of Nigeria at the University of Ife. In 1969 he served as a member of a University of Minnesota study team to promote improvement of agricultural education in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda). O.B, was a member of the American Society for Horticultural Science since 1933. He served a long period as chairman and secretary of the Great Plains Region of that society. He was elected an honorary fellow of ASHS in 1971. Professor Combs was listed in "Who's Who in America" in 1954, "American Men of Science" in 1960, "Leaders in American Science" in 1964, and "Wisconsin Men of Achievement" in 1975. He received special recognition by the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society in 1959 and by the Wisconsin Organization of State 4-H Clubs in 1963. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, James (Beverly) of Manitowish Waters, and Robert (Ann) of Madison; daughter, Mary Jane of Madison; seven grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mabel; and son, Thomas. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Memorials may be made to Alterra Clare Bridge or to the charity of the donor's choice. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434 www.cressfuneralservice.com
Died	10 Nov 2004	Madison, Dane, Wisconsin, USA
Person ID	I43851	1FamilyTree \| MaryLangenhuizenClose78556
Last Modified	14 Nov 2015