Larry L. Claypool, Brookline
“Larry Claypool’s knowledge of milk and milk products is astounding as is his accomplishments in dairy product research,” said Terry Long of the State Milk Board, in supporting Larry’s nomination for the Meritorious Service Award.
“He has been active and influential within the regulatory fabric of this state and nation through his service to the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments and its councils and committees,” Terry continued. “I have witnessed Larry sway the debate on a contested subject more than once when a stalemate was evident. He has the knack of saving the day for the forces of common sense and reason. He has national respect.”
Larry was born in 1932 in Springfield. He graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with an agricultural degree in 1953. He married his wife Naomi in 1954 and they have one daughter, Cynthia, and she and her husband Chuck Hallam, have a daughter Nicole Hallam.
During a three-year period following college Larry served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps in Germany. Even in the military he was involved in a dairy activity as he was in charge of milk procurement for the military in Germany. Following his military service he received a masters degree in dairy products at the University of Minnesota in 1958.
At that time he joined Fairmont Foods Company and worked for two years in technical and operational management. In 1960 he returned to the University of Minnesota and completed work on a doctorate in dairy products in 1965. At that time he joined Producers Creamery, later Mid-America Dairymen, at Springfield and worked there for 32 years with his effort directed to quality assurance, new product development, and regulatory compliance.
Larry founded the Mid-America Dairymen product development center. During his 32 years with Mid-America Dairymen he was active professionally in the dairy industry. He was a long time member of the American Dairy Products Institute serving as president and secretary/treasurer.
He took part in the activities of a many other dairy industry organizations. As a member of the National Council on Interstate Milk Shipments he served on the executive board, was chairman of “Council 1”, and represented NCIMS on committees of other dairy industry organizations.
Larry was also a member of the International Dairy Federation; American Dry Milk Institute; American Butter Institute; National Milk Products Federation; and others.
In the academic arena, Larry served as science advisor for the University of Minnesota and the National Dairy Board and assisted with funding for the dairy program at Texas A&M University.
In concluding his nominating statement Terry Long said “I cannot adequately express my feelings that this is the guy all of us will miss when the chips are down.
“Larry belongs in the Hall of Honors in more than one category because he has been a major contributor to the state’s dairy industry from more than one area.”
Larry retired from Mid-America Dairymen in 1997 as corporate vice president, product development and quality assurance.