Paul Putnam Obituary

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100512/OBITUARIES/5120343/-1/RSS10      # # # # Paul A. Putnam  •  SPRINGFIELD - Dr. Paul Adin Putnam, 79, the beloved husband of Elsie Ramseyer Putnam and devoted father and grandfather, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday evening, May 8, 2010, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. He was born on July 12, 1930, in Springfield, Vt., the son of Beatrice (Baldwin) and Horace Putnam. He was predeceased by his sister, Polly. He graduated from Springfield High School and was an All-State player on the 1947 State Championship Football Team. Always an honors student, he received academic scholarships to UVM for his B.S., Washington State Univ. for his M.S. and Cornell Univ. for his Ph.D.  •  Dr. Putnam was a distinguished agricultural scientist and had numerous publications while working for the U.S.D.A. for 37 years. He was a natural leader and became the director of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland, when it was the world's largest agricultural research center. He was a member of numerous scientific societies and was particularly active in the American Society of Animal Science. In recognition of his leadership, he was appointed to the U.S. Senior Executive Service, representing our nation's top civilian leaders.  •  While in Ithaca, N.Y., he met and married the love of his life, Elsie Ramseyer of Oklahoma, and they celebrated 54 truly wonderful years together. He and Elsie raised a loving family that includes three daughters, Pamela Crowley of Beavercreek, Ohio, Penelope Rupp of Mechanicsburg, Pa., Paula Cornelius of York, Pa., and one son, Tyler Putnam of Fincastle, Va. Without question, Paul's greatest joy in life was his family and he dearly loved and was very proud of his nine grandchildren, Ryan, Cara, Brittney, Jeremy, Shelby, Paul, Kelly, Amy and Tim.  •  Paul's commitment to his hometown of Springfield was the focus of his "second career." He and Elsie were longtime and very active members of the Springfield United Methodist Church. They spent many hours serving the Lord in the fellowship of their friends. He served the town as a selectman and chair of the Select Board and contributed on numerous committees and town boards, including Rotary International, Springfield on the Move, and the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center. Paul was a very positive, engaging man and his warm humor and goodwill were a force of great good for all those who knew him. He will be remembered as a man of many talents and interests, an excellent artist, musician, writer and world traveler.  •  Paul was a true Vermont farmer, and was passionate about working in the fields and woods of his family's 150-year-old dairy farm. In fact, he was active on his farm up until the day of his hospital admission. He brought his science and academic skills to the land and had written several books about Vermont farm life. He and his family have made plans to open a museum in Springfield dedicated to Vermont agricultural history. His favorite times on his beloved "Wall-nut Knoll Farm" were those spent with family. He gave us great memories on the farm, family holidays and reunions, hiking the mountain, tractor rides and lots of loving time in the sunroom as well as tennis games, exercising at the "new" recreation center, bicycling on the Toonerville Trail and kayaking on the Connecticut River.  •  Paul loved to celebrate life and we will now celebrate his life. All friends and family are welcome to attend a celebration for Paul at the Springfield United Methodist Church on Friday, May 14, 2010, at 11 a.m. A reception will be held afterwards at the Hartness House Inn and Restaurant in Springfield.  •  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield United Methodist Church, 10 Valley St., Springfield, VT 05156; or the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center, 140 Clinton St., Springfield, VT 05156. Paul, we love you so much and know that you are now in His good hands.   •