Daniel "Dan" Ray Krieg

Dr. Daniel (Dan) Ray Krieg, age 72, died on Thursday, June 18, 2015 in Lubbock, Texas. Dan was a beloved husband, father, farmer, teacher, mentor and friend. Dan was born on May 19, 1943 in Taylor, Texas. His parents, Elmer and Gertrude Krieg, raised him and his brother, Will, on their farm near Thrall, Texas. Growing up on the family farm taught Dan the value of hard work early in life. He graduated from Thrall High School in 1961, and attended Texas Lutheran University on a football scholarship for one year. He then transferred to Texas A&M University where he earned a B.S. degree in Agronomy and a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology. During his senior year at Texas A&M, Dan met Lee Ruth who was attending Rice University in Houston. They married in 1965 and moved to College Station while Dan earned his Ph.D. In 1970, they had Andrea, their first daughter. Their second daughter, Dana, was born in 1972. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1970, Dan moved to Lubbock to pursue a career in teaching in the Agronomy department at Texas Tech University. Dan was a passionate teacher and mentor to his students during his 35 years at Texas Tech. Generous with his time and energy, he taught several undergraduate and graduate classes every year where he was able to impact students’ lives and futures. He firmly believed in the value of education and knew firsthand how it could transform a life. His passion for teaching was evident in the knowledge and enthusiasm that he transferred to his students. His legacy lives on through their work in dozens of countries around the world. As a result of his dedication, Dan was named the Leidigh professor of crop physiology in 1996, received the Texas Tech President's Excellence in Teaching Award, and was inducted into Texas Tech University’s Department of Plant and Soil Science Faculty Hall of Fame in 2013. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dan led a successful research program in cotton and sorghum. His devotion to improving cotton production on the High Plains helped farmers improve their crop management. In recognition of his contributions to science, Dan was named a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and received the Texas agriculture consultants Outstanding Public Service Award as well as the Beltwide Cotton Conference's Cotton Physiology Outstanding Research Award in 1995. Dan has been a cotton farmer in Lubbock for over 30 years. As a farmer, he brought a uniquely practical perspective to his teaching and research. Dan was often a source of advice for other farmers and a speaker for cotton production workshops. Dan also served the broader agricultural community through his service and dedication to local agricultural associations. He served on the board of Liberty Co-op Gin and as the President of Lubbock County Farm Bureau. His love of farming and cotton, much like the great love he had for his family, students and friends, were evident in everything he did. Dan is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lee Ruth, his daughter, Andrea and his daughter, Dana and her husband, Stephane Besson and his three children, Gabrielle Besson, Tristan Besson and Avery Besson. He is also survived by his brother, Will, his wife Karen and their three daughters, Monica Hays, Kimberly Knauth and Leah Krieg. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 10:00 am at the Bayer Museum of Agriculture at 1121 Canyon Lake Drive, Lubbock, Texas 79408. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Dr. Dan Krieg Scholarship at Texas Tech University (https://apps.texastech.edu/onlinegiving, search for Dan and Lee Ruth Krieg Scholarship Endowment), the Bayer Museum of Agriculture (http://agriculturehistory.org/donate/) or Lutheran Social Services (https://secure.upbring.org/).

Daniel "Dan" Ray Krieg

May 19, 1943 - June 18, 2015