Covering the Land of Lincoln

David Topel Obituary (1937 – 2022) – Ames, WI

David Topel October 24, 1937 – July 25, 2022 Ames , IA – David Topel, age 84, died on July 25, 2022 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa after a productive and rewarding life. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 3 from 4-6 pm at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. Memorial service will be Thursday, August 4 at 2 pm at Collegiate Presbyterian Church, 159 Sheldon Avenue, Ames, Iowa.

David was born in Lake Mills, Wisconsin on October 24, 1937, son of the late Walter C. and Mabel J (Strauss) Topel. He graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1956 and went on to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 1960. He continued his studies at Kansas State University for his Master’s degree, and Michigan State University for his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1965.

David joined the faculty at Iowa State University where he gained international recognition for his research on the etiology of the porcine stress syndrome. David was also an outstanding teacher and developed a widely recognized course and book in animal growth and development.

David became Head of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at Auburn University in 1979. David was appointed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Director of the Iowa Agriculture Experiment Station at Iowa State University in 1988. David was a visionary person whose leadership changed the face of agricultural education, research, and outreach in Iowa and throughout the world. David presented numerous invited papers and seminars, not only in the USA but also in many countries in Europe, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Kenya, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, China, Russia, Ukraine, and many other countries.

David was a strong advocate and leader for international collaboration on scientific research. He traveled to more than 60 countries. Many of the trips were to develop collaborative research and to help those countries improve their agriculture research, animal and crops production, and to improve people’s lives. David also devoted his time and resources to promoting understandings of different cultures around the world for students and people in Iowa. He and his wife donated hundreds of art collections to the Iowa State University Museum to increase exposure of ISU students and residents to cultures of different countries.

For all of his contributions, David received more than forty awards, including the USDA Secretary of Agriculture Honor Award, four Honorary Degree Awards, Iowa State University Order of the Knoll Award, which is the highest award given to a faculty member at Iowa State University . Survivors include his wife, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Jay-lin Jane-Topel, sister, Ellen Topel White of Waukesha, Wisconsin, sisters-in-law, Violet and Delores of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Jackie, and brothers, Wilbur (Florence), Cliff, Lynn, Harvey (Pat), and Earl (Dee) of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and brother-in-law, Jerry White of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Iowa State University Foundation to support David’s passion for learning and teaching in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2505 University Boulevard, IA 50010. Online contributions may be made by visiting www.foundation.iastate.edu/ Topel and designating fund #2706473.

Online condolence may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

Published by Lake Mills Leader from Aug. 11 to Aug. 12, 2022.

34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315ATo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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