Vern Richard Cahill

Vern Richard Cahill entered eternal life February 16, 2016. Born May 5, 1918, at Linwood Farm in Tiro, Vernon Twp, Crawford Co., Ohio, to Verrill and Marie Galehr Cahill, with sisters Kathryn (Marion) Easterday, Miriam (Gordon) Butler, and brother Paul Cahill (Esther), who all predeceased him. A life-long connection to the land and rural life led to BS, MS and PhD degrees from the College of Agriculture and a 40 year career as Professor of Animal Science at The Ohio State University. With an expertise in meat production and evaluation, he was recognized for excellence in teaching, research, and service to both university and industry, including honors from the American Society of Animal Science, the American Meat Science Association, the Ohio Association of Meat Processors, an OSU Meritorious Service Alumni Award, and induction into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame. As professor emeritus, he visited former students and served as a USAID consultant in Brazil, Taiwan, and Eastern Europe. Active duty in the US Army from 1942-46 involved a meat inspection program stateside and deployment to Guadalcanal. US Army Reserve duty continued to his retirement as LtColonel. In 1946, he married Ruth Alice Huber Cahill, beginning a 62-year partnership until her death in 2008. Surviving are Nancy (Jack) Haar, their sons Philip (Merife) and Peter Haar; Donna (Andrew) Solovey, their sons Nicholas (Amy) and Steven (Angela) Solovey and their daughter Anne (Gray) Marshall; Kenneth Cahill, his daughters Eva and Charlotte; and great-grandsons Henry and Simon Marshall. He mentored young people through Alpha Zeta fraternity, the Lutheran Student Association, and the Columbus International Visitors Council. A 65-year member of Clinton Heights Lutheran Church, he generously shared the abundance of his garden and orchard at food pantries and harvest dinners. Other specialties were pit beef BBQs, apple cider, apple butter, and maple syrup. Ever the inquisitive academic, the kind teacher, and the steward of the land, he put his talents to generous and useful purpose. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clinton Heights Lutheran Church or the V R Cahill Professional Development Fund #201022, OFAES Development Office, Howlett Hall #216, 2001 Fyffe Rd, Columbus, OH 43210, or a charity of choice. A memorial service will be Saturday, February 27, at 4 pm, visitation at 3 pm and reception following, at Clinton Heights Lutheran Church, 15 Clinton Heights Ave, Columbus, OH 43214 (approx. 3350 N High St, one block south of the intersection of North Broadway and High Street), Pastor Ralph Wolfe officiating. Arrangements by RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085.

Vern Richard Cahill

May 5, 1918 - February 16, 2016