- Date Of Birth: May 25, 1931
- Date Of Death: July 25, 2013
- State: Colorado
Alfred L. Black, 82, passed away July 25, 2013 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Son of Alvin G. and Zella A. (Gibbs) Black, he was born May 25, 1931 in Salida, CO. Alfred married his high school sweetheart Geraldine Brady on June 15, 1952. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Alfred served from 1955 to 1957 in Korea. A testament to how Alfred showed his concern for his local community, he served as a volunteer fire fighter in Sidney, MT for 18 years. He was a longstanding member of the BPO Elks club and an Exaulted Leader. Alfred Black served the US government for 40 years as a Soil Scientist for the USDA. After graduation with his Masters degree from Colorado State University he was stationed in Sidney, MT until 1979. During that time he became a leading researcher provided basic and applied technical information about crop residue management for improving water conservation, crop water-use efficiencies and controlling soil erosion. In 1979 Alfred became the Director of the Northern Great Planes Research Center located in Mandan, North Dakota, where he continued until his retirement in 1993. Al was known for his ability to speak not only to the scientific community but also to the farmers that were out in the field. He was proud of this ability and how important it was to get the information to those who were doing the work every day of feeding our country and others. Alfred’s research led him to become recognized nationally and internationally as a leading expert in dryland agriculture. He consulted not only throughout the US but also in the former USSR, Australia, Canada & India. Through his career he had the opportunity to travel and help other countries with difficulties they were facing. He was also recognized for research and leadership activities by his peers, multiple companies, and US Federal Agencies for his body of work.
