DOSTER, D. Howard, age 86, of Waynesville, OH, formerly of W. Lafayette, IN, died February 13, 2020 at his home. Howard lived life to the fullest -- What fun!
Howard was passionate about helping Land Grant Universities pursue their original mission to provide public domain research for all and encouraged farmers to contribute financially to help. He was actively working to start a new 4-H Farm Management project to teach 4-H kids and their parents better farm practices. Howard passionately opposed multi-national companies picking site-specific recipes for farmers because of the severe consequences for farmers' independence and for our environment. Helping family farmers was his passion, specifically helping family-owned farmers to maximize yield and profit.
He earned three degrees from The Ohio State University in Agriculture Economics. While at OSU, he played baritone in the marching band and became a proud member of the TBDBITL alumni band. He attended every OSU band alumni game for over 50 years. After 35 years teaching and Extension farm management work, he retired as Professor Emeritus from Purdue University in 2001. Professionally, he helped start and led the Purdue Top Farmer Workshop where he taught thousands of farmers best practices and that "past costs don't count." He developed the Surprise Moment Management farming accounting system to help farmers make timely, effective farm management decisions.
Howard glorified God with his life. He started and ended his life as a member of Jonah's Run Baptist Church, Harveysburg, Ohio, and was a member of The Federated Church in West Lafayette, Indiana. He was a member of the Waynesville (Harveysburg) Masonic Lodge #163. He was active in genealogical research and in many historical societies including the Harveysburg Community Black School Historical Society, and the Wilmington, Clinton County, and Waynesville Historical Societies. Howard loved family and the annual gathering of cousins at the Collett-McKay Picnic. Each year he contributed an article to the Wilmington News-Journal to share stories about who came the farthest for Picnic, the oldest, and the youngest. We will gather for the 155th year in August 2020.
Family-oriented, passionate, impactful, and unpretentious, Howard made friends wherever he went. For 19-years, Doster's Dan-D Acres pick-your-own strawberry patch was the foundation for entrepreneurial training for his four kids and the inspiration for the entrepreneurship textbook he wrote. Howard was a Navy veteran. Back in his Navy and OSU days, he played baseball, including being recruited by the Kansas City Royals. As he grew older, softball became his sport of choice where he played on a National Senior League Championship team. He played competitively nearly 150 games a year until age 83. In West Lafayette, Howard passionately coached several softball teams, including the Purdue women's team. He's remembered for his energetic cheering at his kids and grandkids sporting events.
A friend wrote that Howard could take a complex problem and make it simple. Then he would teach how to analyze it and make it better. If he had written this column it would be shorter!
He was preceded in death by his parents William and Esther Underwood Doster. He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Barbara; two sons, David (Cindi) Doster and Daniel (Melody) Doster; two daughters, Susan Doster (Rick Mertens) and Anne (Travis) Glaze; eight grandchildren Ashlee (Dan) Wainright, Drew (Francie) Doster, Adam Doster (Fiancée Amanda Schweigart), Bill (Emily) Doster, Jim (Catherine) Doster, Elizabeth (Graham) Bargeron, Nathaniel Glaze, and Eric Glaze; three great grandchildren Quentin, Wesley, and Eloise; two brothers Robert (Mary Lou) Doster and John (Carol) Doster; one sister Jane Strecker; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will receive friends 5:00-7:00 PM Monday, February 17 at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. An additional visitation will be held 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Tuesday, February 18 at the Jonah's Run Baptist Church (near Harveysburg), 9614 W. St. Rt. 73, Wilmington, OH 45177. A graveside service will be held 12:30 PM Tuesday, February 18 at Miami Cemetery in Corwin. A Celebration of Life service will then be held 2:30 PM Tuesday, February 18 at Jonah's Run Baptist Church, followed by an ice cream social with pie. Pastor Roger Hilburt will officiate the services. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com. For Memorial contribution information and to share stories about Howard, go to:
(From Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home)
Barbara Lou Doster
Barbara Lou Gibbs Doster of West Lafayette, IN, 87, died on October 8th, 2021, at home with her family. When you met Barbara, her warm smile and engaging conversation assured you; she cared about you, personally. Her zest for life was contagious and her passion for helping others genuine.
Barbara was born in Columbus, Ohio, to John Philip and Eunice (Gillespie) Gibbs. She attended North High School, the Polar Bears, in Columbus and graduated as a "Mid-Year," in 1952. She met and married Daniel Howard Doster, PhD, while at The Ohio State University. No doubt he was drawn to her by her beautiful SMILE, her confident leadership, her compassionate encouragement, and her love for people. At OSU "BG" was a Tri-Delta, the first woman Student Senate President in the Big 10, she served on Mortar Board, and led countless other organizations while earning her BS in the College of Business, cum laude. She was named 1956 Outstanding Senior Woman at OSU.
Howard and Barbara were married in 1956, after which he was stationed with the Navy in New Orleans, then Norfolk, Virginia, before returning to Ohio. Later, with their four children, they moved to West Lafayette, Indiana, in 1968, where Howard joined the Purdue University faculty in Agriculture Economics. There, they were active members of The Federated Church. Howard, whom she loved fiercely -- was her greatest cheerleader throughout her life, and she was his.
In West Lafayette, they are remembered for their 19-year family business Dan-D-Acres U-Pick Strawberry patch and her passion for service. She was a leader with the PTO, Girl Scouts, and the school sports concessions; she taught swimming lessons and supported 4H. She engaged with friends through women's Bible studies, Bridge Club, and enjoyed hosting dinners and parties for friends and family.
In 1977, Barbara started as a part time academic advisor in Purdue's Krannert School of Management. While in this job she finished her MS in Counseling from Purdue, and then served as the Director of Krannert Undergraduate Programs through the remainder of her 22-year career.
Barbara had the unique capacity to both lead and support -- with equal excellence. She earned distinguished service awards that included the National Academic Advising Association Outstanding Advisor Award and the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion Award. Purdue awarded Barbara the Special Boilermaker Award, the Outstanding Advisor on Campus Awards, and The Management School's Distinguished Service Award for her dedication to Purdue students.
Along with being the Director of Undergraduate programs, Barbara was the advisor for the School of Management Employers Forum, the Golden Key Honorary, Industrial Management Student's Association and the President's Council. As the Advisor for the School of Management Counsel, Barbara helped the team develop the first annual "Doster Leadership Conference" which the students named in her honor. Her children and grandchildren honor her legacy by continuing to support and participate in this vibrant program. This year at the "DLC" thirteen Barbara G. Doster Positive Attitude Scholarships were awarded. In addition, she was active in Rotary International, PEO, and many other organizations.
After retirement, she and Howard moved to their 200-year-old family home in Waynesville, Ohio. They moved their church membership to Jonah's Run Baptist Church in Clinton County where she served as a Deaconess. Many years earlier she'd held a nursery school there for her children and others in the area. She always started and led activities for her family and included as many others as she could. She and Howard enjoyed their friendships in the Harveysburg Community Historical Society, which preserves the First Black Schoolhouse in the region.
She is predeceased by her parents and her loving husband, Howard, of 64 years, and her sister Patricia Smucker. She is survived by her four children, whom she loved unconditionally, poured herself into, and launched them into their own successful lives: Son David and Cindi Doster, son Dan and Melody Doster, daughter Susan Doster and Rick Mertens, daughter Anne and Travis Glaze, eight grandchildren, (who loved Cousin Camp!) Ashlee and Dan Wainright, Drew and Francie Doster, Adam and Amanda Doster, Bill and Emily Doster, Jim and Catherine Doster, Elizabeth and Graham Bargeron, Nathaniel Glaze, and Eric Glaze, and four great-grand-children Quentin, Wesley, Eloise, and Virginia, and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.
When you spoke with Barbara, she knew your name and you quickly felt at ease. With people, she was always listening, talking, touching each person personally with her warmth, sharing insights, encouraging you. She loved people, and she was loved by all. We ALL knew we mattered to Barbara.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 13, at 4:00-6:00 pm at Federated Church, 2400 Sycamore Lane, West Lafayette, IN 47906 with the funeral service to follow at 6:30 pm.
The Graveside Service will be held at the Miami Cemetery in Waynesville, Ohio, on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 1:00 pm, followed by a gathering at Jonah's Run Church in Harveysburg, Ohio. Soller-Baker Funeral Home in West Lafayette, Indiana and Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville, Ohio are serving the family. Condolences may be made at www.soller-baker.com.
Donations in Barbara's memory may be made to the Purdue Foundation, Barbara G. Doster Positive Attitude Scholarship.
