Eugene Boone '32, former head of the largest frozen food company in the nation and friend of the Davis campus for many years, died in May at the age of 87. After graduating from UC Davis with a bachelor's degree in dairy science, Mr. Boone was head of Turlock High School's agricultural department. He subsequently set up a dairy manufacturing department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and established the Cal Poly Foundation. In the '40s, he returned to Modesto to work with his friend Ernest Gallo at the E&J Gallo Winery, where he installed the winery's first bottling line. The acquaintance led the Gallo brothers to create the Boone's Farm label. Mr. Boone then served as a long-time employee, president and a member of the board of directors for John Inglis Frozen Foods Co. in Modesto and developed machinery such as the cauliflower coring machine, the Brussels sprouts trimming machine and the first workable salt briner. He also took his expertise to Kyoto, Japan, where he helped the Taki Seed Co. produce a Brussels sprout variety suitable for mechanical harvesting. A recipient of the 1994 Jerry W. Fielder Memorial Award for campus service, Mr. Boone contributed to UC Davis and its community in many ways, serving as a leader of numerous volunteer organizations and making many financial contributions. He served on the board of directors for the Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Corp. for five decades and as a member of the UC Davis Foundation Board of Trustees and the Chancellor's Club. He made generous donations to the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center campaign, Recreation Hall and the Students First campaign. Before his death, he and his wife, Rachel, established an endowment for student loans, and then, through his will, established a $2 million trust that, at the death of their children, will augment the student loan fund and will establish a program to support student agricultural internships. Mr. Boone is survived by his wife; children, Eugene Boone II and Galen Boone; sister, Alberta Barrett; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Lindsay "Red" Jewett '32 died in April at the age of 88. While attending UC Davis, Mr. Jewett served as both ASUCD and junior class presidents, and was the recipient of the Lindley Trophy for highest ranking in scholarship, athletic ability and student activities. After graduation, Mr. Jewett taught animal husbandry at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and UC Davis, as well as teaching vocational agriculture for 19 years at various high schools. He also managed several large California ranches, including the Hollister Estate Co. In 1993, Mr. Jewett was inducted into the Cal Aggies Athletic Hall of Fame. A lifetime member of the UC Davis Alumni Association, Mr. Jewett, along with his wife, Alyce, received the association's Distinguished Achievement Award in 1987 and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Award of Distinction in 1990. The couple established several loans and scholarships for the college, which have helped thousands of UC Davis students. He is survived by his wife, Alyce; daughter, Margaret Fish; sister, Marjorie Smith; and two grandchildren.
Clement L. Pelissier '36 died in May at age 83. After graduating from UC Davis, he joined the UC Agricultural Extension Service in Tulare County and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1949, he transferred to UC Davis as an extension dairyman. He remained at Davis for over 30 years. Mr. Pelissier also earned a master's degree from Cornell University and served with the United Nations in Lebanon. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; two daughters, Renee and Elise; his brother, Louis; a granddaughter; a niece and two nephews.
Walter Johnson Jr. '49 died in June at the age of 72. Mr. Johnson was a farm advisor for 40 years and a member of the UC Davis Alumni Association, the Society for Range Management, the Cal Beef Cattle Improvement Association in Davis, the Fall RiverBig Valley Cattlemen's Association, Shasta County Cattlemen's Association, the state and Shasta County farm bureaus and an honorary member of the Alpha Zeta Alumni Association in Davis. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He is survived by his sons, Steve and William; brother Gregory; and four grandchildren.
Richard August Huberty '56 died unexpectedly in March in Wilton, Conn. An active student on campus, he served as ASUCD president in 195455 and was an intercollegiate football player. After graduation, he continued to support UC Davis as a board member of the UC Davis Alumni Association in 196370. The Richard August Huberty Memorial Scholarship was established in his memory. Donations may be sent to the UC Davis Foundation.
