GW AGA NEWS
A Debt of Gratitude: AGA Celebrates E. Edd Pritchett’s Contributions to the Association
As many of you know, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the American Gelbvieh Association, so it only seemed right to pay homage to a man who played such an instrumental role in AGA from the beginning. The book “Gelbvieh in the US: The Breed. The Association. The People.” shares the compiled history of the AGA and is dedicated to E. Edd Pritchett. Teres Lambert shares in the book’s dedication excerpts below the foundational role Edd played in the formation and continued success of AGA: “In 1971, Edd was a go-getter attorney who had recently entered private practice when Mitch Dobson, a fellow Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brother, called and asked if he would write the Articles of Incorporation for a new national beef breed association. Edd embraced the challenge. In addition to writing the AGA’s Articles of Incorporation, Edd was also instrumental in researching and writing the AGA’s first set of Bylaws and Rules. He then became the AGA’s Legal Counsel, attending nearly every Board of Directors meeting. At Edd’s side, assisting him with the AGA work, was his wife, Susie. Ever so important to the AGA Board of Directors were the introductory words of wisdom that every newcomer to the Board received from Edd during orientation, traditionally conducted the day before the first full Board meeting. Edd wanted to be certain every Board member understood his/her role and the need for keeping collective goals ahead of personal goals. He spelled out the basic principles of being a Board member like no other could, and these principles had a profound impact on the performance of Board members as well as their behavior, even their personal lives.” Edd served as the legal counsel for AGA from 1971 until 2014. A true supporter of the breed, Edd is recalled by many who had the opportunity to serve and work
22 | JANUARY 2021
Photo of Edd, Al and Mary Knapp with him as fun-loving and direct, only voicing concern when he believed the Board was crossing a line. To honor Edd, Al and Mary Knapp, Triple K Gelbvieh of Basehor, Kansas, traveled to Kingfisher, Oklahoma, during the last week of November to present him with the first commemorative 50th-anniversary book. PreCOVID-19, Edd’s service’s celebration was scheduled to be held in conjunction with the AGA National Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. AGA had hoped to present the book to Edd with his family, friends, and AGA board members, past and present, in attendance. “We were honored to be able to present Edd with the first history book,” Al said. “Edd’s son, daughter, and grandkids were there and had set-up the occasion under the ruse of taking a family photo. It was a great day.” Commemorative AGA history books may be ordered by contacting the AGA office and offered on a first-come, first-served basis with a suggested donation of $35 and the required $15 shipping fee. D
