Last week, former U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) Corn Sector Director and Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) Chair Dick Gallagher passed away at 81 in Washington, Iowa.
“Dick was a great supporter of the Council’s work, not only serving on our board but by hosting trade teams at his farm and traveling to meet customers around the world,” said Ryan LeGrand, USGBC president and CEO.
“His voice will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with his wife, Jan, and their children and grandchildren as we remember the full life he lived.”
Gallagher served on the ICPB from 2003-2004 and again from 2007-2013, chairing the organization from 2011-2012. He served on the Council’s board of directors as corn sector director from 2014 to 2017 and in 2022 he was honored with the Iowa Corn Individual Outstanding Leader Award for his time and dedication to Iowa Corn.
Gallagher (rear, leftmost) is pictured with the Council’s board of directors in 2016.
“Dick was so passionate about the agriculture market in Washington County, with the most impressive thing about him being his ability to think and act globally through his work with the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council,” said Craig Floss, Iowa Corn CEO.
“He connected the dots between local farmers and their corn and corn co-products with foreign customers by both travelling abroad to share the U.S. ag story as well as meeting with overseas buyers here in the U.S. to help all understand the benefit of trade. He was a very effective advocate on behalf of U.S. farmers wherever he went.”
Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31 and a memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, both at the Washington Area Performing Arts & Events Center.