Penn State University educator and long-time American Angus Association executive officer.
1884-1954 | Artist: Othmar J. Hoffler (1893-1954)
Impact & Accomplishments
W. H. Tomhave was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and educated at the University of Minnesota. After graduation, he worked for the extension division there.
Tomhave accepted a faculty position at Pennsylvania State University in 1907, but only taught for one year before taking an overseas assignment with the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
From 1908 to 1910, he headed an agricultural development project in northeast China. When he returned to the United States, he spent two more years at his alma mater, then was called back to become the head of animal husbandry at Penn State in 1912. Professor Tomhave initiated the first meats course at the university.
From 1925 to 1946, Tomhave was secretary of the American Aberdeen Angus Association. He was also chairman of the first Reciprocal Meats Conference, held in 1948, and authored the textbook, Meat and Meat Products.
W. H. Tomhave was inducted into the Angus Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame in 1983.