GRACE WYSTRACH, A HEREFORD MATRIARCH BY DEAN FISH, PH.D.
ŠGuy Atchley
Matriarch is defined as a woman who is the head of a family or tribe. When you meet Grace Wystrach, you soon come to realize that her family and tribe are not only widespread and strong, but that her influence reaches both far and near. It is hard to go anywhere in southern Arizona and not see some of her impact. Grace was born to Bob and Betty Townsend in Marfa, Texas. Both Bob and Betty were from Garden City, New York and ended up out west through various reasons. Grace describes her maternal grandfather as a happy wanderer who needed an active lifestyle. He eventually bought a ranch in northern Colorado and started a dude ranch. It was at this dude ranch that Bob and Betty met. Bob had a case of blood poisoning and had come west for his health. In the meantime, Uncle Ed had bought a ranch in Marfa during the Great Depression. Bob and Betty managed this ranch, but eventually came back to the Colorado ranch. In time, the Colorado ranch was put up for sale. This, in combination with a huge blizzard in the winter of 1949, encouraged the Townsend family to look for another place. Bob had driven
past Rain Valley, just east of Sonoita, Arizona and inquired if it was for sale. He made a deal on it with Mr. Symington and bought it. Grace remembers that he introduced the ranch to
the family by having them watch Red River, which was primarily filmed on the ranch. The classic Howard Hawks film that starred John Wayne and Montgomery Clift, showed the family a place that was a whole lot warmer than Colorado. Upon arrival at the ranch, Bob started working on improving the Hereford herd that was there. Early on, Bob experienced chest pains and was taken to the Tombstone Hospital. In those days, this required a six week stay. Betty, along with 18
Grace and her two sisters, Pamela and Sally, ran the ranch. They had to grow up fast. This experience provided many of the fundamental life skills that served Grace so well her entire life. In addition, a lifelong passion for the Hereford breed was born here. Grace attended Elgin Elementary School and was a 4-H member. In fact, she was one of the 4-H beef showmen at the first 4-H show at the Santa Cruz County Fair along with Patty Holbrook and Dick Schorr. Grace started high school at Patagonia and completed her junior and senior year at St. Joe’s Academy in Tucson. Upon graduation she enrolled at the University of Arizona and majored in Education. Grace wanted to be a veterinarian, but that was not a career path encouraged for women at that time. Grace was teaching school in Garden Grove, California and living it up on Balboa Avenue when she met Michael Wystrach. Michael was a U.S. Marine pilot stationed nearby at El Toro. Grace describes not being really impressed with him at their first meeting. However, Michael pursued her through friends
