Franklin Eldridge, 98, emeritus professor of animal science, died Jan. 27.
Eldridge earned a doctorate at Cornell University and was a faculty member at Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At Nebraska, he also served as associate dean of the School of Agriculture for several years.
He authored and published a textbook “The Cytogenetics of Livestock,” which became the definitive text in the field. Eldridge served as the president of the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture during his tenure.
He was a cook in the Army during World War II and, after the war, took part in the reconstruction mission focused on agriculture in Tokyo.
Franklin was born on June 14, 1918, in Fruitland, Idaho, to Frank Eldridge and Margaret Jeffers. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Della Eldridge; his daughter, Karen Eldridge; his grandson, Brady Eldridge; and his three sisters, Opal, Velma and Connie.
He is survived by wife, Cheryl Eldridge; son, Larry (Kas) Eldridge; son, Paul (Moon) Eldridge; daughter, Kathy (Jim) Jaques; daughter, Kathy (Mark) Landschulz; daughter, Patty (Mark) Babcock; and son, Mike (Kim) McCarty. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 15, at Roper and Sons, 4300 0 St. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 16, at Eastridge Presbyterian Church, 1135 Eastridge Drive, with lunch following.
