Dr. Russ Pettit

Biography

Russell Dean Pettit was born on February 17, 1941 on a farm near Burr Oak in Jewell County, Kansas, to Irvin and Ellis (Lentfer) Pettit. Russ passed away in Lubbock, Texas, on February 15, 2019, at the age of 77. Russ attended the one-roomed Oak Creek School in Harrison Township, Jewell County, Kansas. He graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1959. Russ attended Fort Hays State University and Texas Tech University, ultimately earning his PhD in range management science at Oregon State University. Following graduation Russ taught for a short time in Kingsville, Texas before joining the range and wildlife management faculty at Texas Tech University in the Fall of 1969 where he specialized in arid grasslands and coached Texas Tech University's range plant identification team at annual meetings of the International Society for Range Management. He retired in 1989 as an Associate Professor of Range Management, Emeritus.

Service

Outstanding Contribution to Rangeland Management (the highest award bestowed by the Texas Section) – 1993

Outstanding Service Award – 1980

Plant ID Contest - Society for Range Management - Coach for 9 years – Won first place at the International Plant ID Contest 3 years. 

President of the Texas Section – Society of Range Management – 1984

Board of Directors – 1980-1982