- Date Of Birth: June 30, 1923
- Date Of Death: October 16, 2016
- State: Idaho
Professor Shirley Ann Newcomb passed away peacefully on Monday October 16, 2016 in Moscow Idaho. She was 93. Shirley was born on June 30, 1923 in Cambridge, Nebraska to Leila Lodica Babcock Newcomb and Kenneth Ralph Newcomb. Shirley grew up in Cambridge with her older sister Jennette in a very loving family. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in dietetics and was recruited to teach home economics at the University of Idaho by Margaret Ritchie. Shirley promised two years and taught for 40. At the U of I Shirley was well loved by thousands of students whom she taught, mentored and mothered. Professionally she is responsible for establishing the Consortium Coordinated Undergraduate Program in Dietetics which provided practicum placements in regional hospitals and allowed participants to take the exam to become Registered Dietitians. She served on state and national boards and committees to further dietetics and participated in the first People to People Dietitians exchange with New Zealand and Australia. She served 3 years on the USDA National Advisory Board on Child Nutrition. In her lifetime in Moscow, Shirley has been awarded two UI Alumni Awards for Faculty Excellence, The School of Home Economics Alumna Award, the June Yerrinton Idaho Dietetics Association Outstanding Dietitian, University of Nebraska Distinguished Alumna Award, the Idaho Treasure Award, The School of Family and Consumer Sciences Centennial Award and the UI College of Agricultural & Life Sciences Dean’s Achievement Award. She is a charter member of the Margaret Ritchie Distinguished Speaker committee.
