Billy Ray Baumgardt

Billy Ray (Bill) Baumgardt, 91, of West Lafayette, died on August 26, 2024. Born January 17, 1933 in Lafayette, he graduated from St. James Lutheran School and Shadeland High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Purdue University in 1955, a master's degree from Purdue in 1956 and his doctorate at Rutgers University in 1959. He was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin and The Pennsylvania State University, where he became the first head of the department of dairy and animal science. He returned to Purdue in 1980, serving as Director of Agricultural Research until his retirement in 1998. He was dedicated to education, and service to agriculture and dairy science.
Baumgardt served on several professional societies and was president of the American Dairy Science Association where he received the Association's highest recognition, the Award of Honor and Distinguished Service Award. He received their nutrition research award earlier in his career.
He was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Dairy Science Association and the American Society of Nutrition.
He married D. Elaine Blain on June 8, 1952 in Lafayette. Their happy marriage lasted for over seventy years until she passed away on December 1, 2022.
Among professional activities, he was most proud of the accomplishments of the students who worked with him and of his faculty and staff colleagues. At a personal level he was most proud of his wife, Elaine, and her talents as a gifted needlework artist.
Surviving are two daughters, one son and their spouses and children. Pam Farley (Darrell) of Melbourne Beach, FL, Terri Adolfsen (George Campbell) of Pine Hill, NJ, and Don Baumgardt (Carol) of Denver, CO. He is also survived by four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Bill Adolfsen (Jes and sons Luke and Levi), Steve Adolfsen (Jen and sons Dylan and Brendan), Blain Baumgardt (Stephanie Bobbitt), and Elisa Baumgardt Morgan (Bobby and son Finley) by whom he was lovingly known as PopPop.
He was a member of Federated Church of West Lafayette and was a Rotarian from 1969 to 2017.
Memorials may be made to the Westminster Village Foundation of West Lafayette, IN, or to Purdue University for the Baumgardt Family Scholarship in Animal Sciences, or to the American Dairy Science Association Foundation.
No visitation. Private graveside service, weather permitting. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com