In Memoriam: Dennis Armstrong

Extension Specialist Emeritus Dennis Vern Armstrong passed away in early February. He was 88.

Armstrong, a native of Big Springs, Nebraska, was the Extension Dairy Specialist in the University of Arizona Department of Animal Sciences from 1973 until his retirement in 1999.

“Dennis Armstrong epitomized what an extension specialist should be: in constant search of solutions for the problems affecting the dairy producers in the state” said Duarte Diaz, an associate professor in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. “The design and operation of all the dairy farms in Arizona have his fingerprint on them.”

Armstrong was deeply committed to his work. He was known internationally as a leading expert in dairy operation and management, specifically for his research on reducing the impact of high temperatures through facility designs. After retiring from UArizona, he continued his international consulting work until 2019. 

“Dennis never really retired,” Diaz said. “He continued to work on his passion of dairy science until the very end, organizing global conferences and traveling the world to help producers optimize their operations.”

Beyond his work as an extension specialist, Armstrong contributed to the University of Arizona through creation of the Dennis Armstrong Student Support Scholarship in Dairy Management, which has helped many UArizona students. 

“I could not have asked for a better role model for my work,” Diaz said. “Dennis was a great friend, and he’ll be greatly missed.”

Armstrong is survived by his children: Susan, Wallace (Debi), Elizabeth Larson (Ted), and Jill, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.