Dr. David Stanke
Dr. David Stanke was part of the Animal Science faculty of William H. Darr College of Agriculture at Missouri State University until his death in 1985. David was a native of Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and received his bachelor’s in Animal Science in 1967. He then came to the University of Missouri where he earned his Master of Science in Dairy Cattle Management in 1970 and his Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology and Dairy Management in 1972.
After completing his Ph.D., he spent a year as an Agricultural Extension Agent for the University of Wisconsin in LaCrosse County. In 1973, he joined the Animal Science faculty at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University).
Throughout his career in the dairy industry, David earned a reputation as an industry leader. He was a productive and innovative faculty member, student mentor, and a pioneer within embryo transplant science and dairy genetics. He is well known within the embryo transfer industry and is credited with bringing embryo transfer to Missouri. David, along with Robert Thomson and Joe King, worked together to produce the first embryo transfer calves in Missouri.
David’s willingness to mentor others benefitted many dairymen in Missouri. He provided breeding advice to prominent registered dairy breeders, but he also advised dairymen who were not registered dairy cattle breeders. He mentored several young dairymen who were just entering the business as well as those who were 3rd and 4th generation dairymen. His firsthand experiences in all aspects of dairy breeding, physiology, reproduction, judging, and management quickly attracted the attention of students and producers, and he had a following of successful dairymen who sought his advice and help.
David also used his embryo and reproduction knowledge to work nationally and globally, even to preserve endangered species. Dr. Dennis Schmitt and Dr. Stanke responded to the need in the preservation of the Scimitar-Horned Oryx that required knowledge in superovulation, flushing, freezing, and transferring oryx embryos.
In her letter of support, Karla Deaver said, “He had an impact on embryo transfer in this state, and on dairy cattle breeding and genetics. But in my opinion, his most significant impact was on the lives of the students he taught each and every day.”
David set the bar high in his classes. His belief was that if you expect more from people you will get more; most of the time, people will rise to meet your expectations. He was an outstanding dairy cattle judge. He demonstrated this through his coaching and teaching of several dairy judging teams that competed at the Intercollegiate Dairy Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. Students who were members of the teams he coached developed exceptional judgement and communication skills that have carried them successfully throughout life.
David’s life focused upon making a difference for the producers and students hoping to contribute to the industry. He helped many students realize their potential, and the list of former students who went on to bigger and better things is vast: Randy Mooney, Dr. Greg Lenz, Karla Deaver, Julie Brown, Janice Ling, and many others. Many past students wrote in their letter of support that their lives changed for the better because of the mentorship they received from Dr. Stanke.
David’s excellent knowledge and teaching led him to be invited to be one of four presenters for the National Association of Animal Breeders in Venezuela during the summer of 1985. He passed away unexpectedly after this trip at the age of 39. His influence within the dairy industry continues to be felt over 30 years later.