Richard Frencer, a recipient of Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s distinguished alumni award and benefactor of the Huntley College of Agriculture, died on Feb. 4.
He was 81.
Frencer was born in Newark, N.J., on May 15, 1943, the eldest of four children to John and Helene Frencer.
After graduating from high school, he left New Jersey to live with relatives in Southern California while attending college at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. He earned his baccalaureate degree in agronomy in 1967.
Frencer spent 30 years working for Union Carbide, Rhone Poulenc Ag Co., Bayer Ag, and as an independent food production professional. During his distinguished career, he earned a reputation as an outstanding salesman and agricultural consultant, receiving numerous national awards.
Although he resided in Idaho, Frencer remained devoted to Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. He and his wife, Janis, made a generous gift to the Huntley College of Agriculture to help students explore careers and find jobs. They partnered with the Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Career Center to create an agricultural career counselor position within the college.
The career counselor would not only advise students on creating effective resumés and improving interviewing skills, but they would also work on expanding internship and employment opportunities.
Richard Frencer was named the Huntley College’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient in 2017.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janis; two sisters; a brother-in-law; and multiple nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held on Feb. 21 in Garden City, Idaho.