Frank C Litterst Jr.

Frank C. Litterst, Jr., passed away on December 26, 2016 at his home in College Station at the age of 94. He was born in Harris Co. on June 15, 1922. He graduated from Houston Lamar High School in 1939. He entered Texas A&M in the fall of 1939, a proud member of the Class of '43 (the Class that won the War.). He was a Ross Volunteer and the Commander of Battery “A” Coast Artillery. During World War II, Frank's class left A&M en masse prior to graduation, and Frank was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served in New Guinea as an artillery officer from 1943 to 1945.

In his Junior year, Frank met the love of his life, Royce Katherine Dudley, on a blind date to Franklin's Night Club. Frank later took Royce back to Franklin's and proposed. They were married May 7, 1943 and their marriage lasted for 58 years until her passing in 2002.

He returned to Texas A&M to finish his degree plan, graduating in 1947 with a degree in Animal Husbandry. He was a rancher and worked in the cattle industry, successfully operating his own ranching operation from 1947 to 1964. He then began working as a beef cattle specialist with the Texas Agriculture Education Specialist Program. In that role he conducted over 350 educational beef short course programs in beef cattle production across the State of Texas.

In 1975, Frank joined the Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, retiring in 1989. He taught Beef Cattle Production and Animal Science Practicum courses for Animal Science and Agricultural Education students and managed the Department’s beef cattle center. During his tenure at Texas A&M, Frank effectively translated his life experience as a rancher and beef cattle specialist into a colorful and meaningful classroom style that educated over 8,000 Aggies from all over the world.

He was a Superintendent for the Junior Beef Heifer Show at the Texas State Fair and for the Junior Market Steer Show at the Houston Livestock Show. He was a long-time member of the Houston Livestock Show Range Bull and Heifer Committee and developed the evaluation instrument for range bull grading used by most major livestock shows today. He was also instrumental in contributing to the development of the model, standards and application of the USDA Feeder Cattle Grading System in use across the US.

Frank was recognized numerous times in his life for his achievements as a Texas Aggie, a teacher and a cattleman. He was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award in 1975, TAMU Collegiate FFA Outstanding Professor College of Agriculture in 1977, TAMU Former Students Association Distinguished Teaching Award in 1984, TAMU Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2009, TAMU Department of Animal Science Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2013 and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2014.

Frank established scholarships for students in the Department of Animal Science and the TAMU Corps of Cadets. He was Co-Class Agent for the Class of ’43. During his life he was an exemplary Texas Aggie supporting the students, the athletics, the Corps of Cadets, and the Association of Former Students. He was the face of the Department of Animal Science and an icon for the Texas beef cattle industry and Texas A&M. He was loved and respected by many and he will be forever admired and greatly missed.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank C. Litterst, Sr. and Eileen Elizabeth Newman Litterst, and his wife, Royce Katherine Litterst.

Frank is survived by his three children: Frank Litterst III (Patsy), Kathy Gough (Carl ’69) and Mike Litterst ’73 (Carlette ’75). He is also survived by seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Monday, January 2 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM at the Memorial Funeral Chapel, 2901 Texas Ave. South, College Station, TX 77845. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, January 3 at 1:00 PM at the A&M United Methodist Church, 417 University Dr., College Station, TX 77840 (Northgate).

The family wishes to thank Frank's caregivers: Bonnie, Linda, Alice, and the staff of Comfort Keepers and Tender Loving Care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Frank's name to Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 West 26th St., Bryan, TX 77803 (979-821-2266) or The Association of Former Students, Texas A& M University at http://www.aggienetwork.com/give/memorialgiving/