Page 20 - WCA Ketch Pen August 2020

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A Legacy Worth Living For
By Hailey Haberman (Gress)
In loving memory of Scott Gress (May 5, 1959 - July 1, 2020)
If you don’t believe in heroes, you haven’t met my dad.
He was a leader in the ag industry, a mentor, and a friend...but I was honored to call him my dad. He was the true definition of a Cowboy—the hardest working man around and capable of putting in endless hours in the ranch to make ends meet—but more so, he was a humble and kind individual. He always took the time to look you in the eye, listen to what you had to say, and give encouragement or tell you about the one time he tried it a different way ... “and it didn’t work so good.” He was so strong. Though his hands were swollen from years of abuse from bareback riggins, concrete blocks, and fence posts, he had abs of steel into his sixties, and could still out golf, out slalom waterski, and out work men half his age.
Mom and Dad made the best team and had the strongest of bonds, instilling
values of hard work, honesty, and kindness to animals and others. Whether they were
two stepping to a Waylon Jennings cover or processing yearlings, they always spoke to
each other with love and respect. Even when things didn’t go as planned, he never raised his voice or yelled at his help or took it out on the animals. He was the last to quit, and the first to buy the beer.
In his later years, I got to see him become a papa to my three wild little boys. He always had a kid on his lap and two catching up to him. The way his face would light up when the kids flew through the front door was priceless. Just. Pure. Joy.
He had such a zest for life and lived every day to the fullest, pulling calves to the fire just weeks before his cancer caught up with him. He exuded confidence in an Augustus Macrae manner and quoted “It’s not dying I’m talking about, it’s living” until his dying day. Whether it was taking an extra few minutes to pet a good dog, praise a good horse, or tell a good story, he was always present in the moment and happy to be living his dream.
I’m so proud to be raised by such an incredible man and honored he was able to impact my kids and so many young people in his life. The outpouring of support and kind words from all the people he touched is a true testament to his legacy. He is dear- ly missed by all.
A Pioneer in Beef Cattle Sustainability Passes
Dr. Donald D. Nelson, Professor of Animal Sciences, died on July 5, 2020 at his home in Red Bluff, California. Don, a horse and beef cattle enthusiast, came to WSU Animal Sci- ences in 1989 as a beef cattle Extension specialist and promptly established an outreach program in managed grazing to benefit beef producers. With two prestigious Kellogg Foundation grants, Don encouraged holistic thinking about grazing and beef cattle management, created leaders among Washington ranching community, and taught ranchers conflict management skills. Don was a pioneer in the movement of sustainable ranching and has been recognized in national awards as “an innovator, visionary, leader, collaborator, sage, mover and shaker and educator”. An avid reader and note taker, Don could discuss the history and newest aspects of grazing, resource use, leadership and politics. His sense of humor was much appreciated as was his sound and thoughtful advice. After his wife Suzanne’s death, Don retired and moved to California to be near his family. Don is survived by his son Stuart (Sarah), Heather, Montgomery (Heath-
er), and Holly (Kirk) Slaughter, grandchildren, and his brother in-law Stuart (Mary) Phister. A celebration of his life will be held later this summer in Clovis, CA. A longer obituary is available at https://dnews.com/obituaries/donald-dewey-nelson/article_61b- 98cdf-e1c2-5707-9d61-a0dd8a68802f.html
Ketch Pen www.washingtoncattlemen.org
August 2020