Walter Chappel Sparks

Background

Sparks, Walter Chappel was born on August 22, 1918 in New Castle, Colorado, United States. Son of Lester Elroy and Jean Ivene (Murray) Sparks.

Education

Student, Western State College, 1937. Bachelor of Science, Colorado State University, 1941. Master of Science, Colorado State University, 1943.

Postgraduate, University Minnesota, 1945. Postgraduate, Washington State University, 1957. Doctor of Science (honorary), University Idaho, 1984.

Career

Instructor, head department agriculture Pueblo Junior College, 1941. Graduate assistant Colorado State University, 1941-1943, instructor horticulture, 1943-1944, assistant professor, 1944-1947, associate professor, 1947. Associate horticulturist University Idaho, Aberdeen, 1947-1957.

Acting superintendent Aberdeen branch Agricultural Experiment Station, 1951, 57, 65, horticulturist, from 1957, research professor horticulture, from 1968, principal liaison coordinator for potato program, from 1976. Exchange professor Research Institute, Kolding, Denmark, 1972-1973. Adviser and lecturer on potato problems to various foreign governments.

Consultant, advisory, Israel, 1980, Philippines, 1981, Jamaica, 1988. Director Postharvest Institute Perishables, since 1980.

Achievements

• Walter Chappel Sparks has been listed as a noteworthy horticulturist, educator by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Institute Biological Sciences, American Society Horticultural Science (life), European Association Potato Research, Northwest Association Horticulturists, Entomologists and Plant Pathologists, Idaho Academy of Sciences, National Potato Research and Education Foundation (certified appreciation seed potato storage technical 1986), Northwest Food Processors Association (Distinguished Service award, 1987), Northwest Fieldman's Association (Distinguished Agricultural Service award, 1987), Potato Association American (life member, past president, director), Western Regional Potato Improvement Group (past president), Chamber of Commerce, Scabbard and Blade, Sigma Xi (Outstanding Research Paper award 1974), Gamma Sigma Delta (Outstanding Research Worker award 1977, award of merit 1978), Alpha Zeta, Beta Beta Beta, Epsilon Rho Epsilon. Clubs: Rotary.

Connections

Married Barbara Ferne Gardner, May 31, 1942. Children: Robert, Richard, Eugene.