Letter dated 11 Jan 1980 from Lorenzo A. Richards to Dr. William A. Raney

Letter dated 11 Jan 1980 from Lorenzo A. Richards to Dr. William A. Raney, with congratulations on his retirement; With: Letter dated 17 December 1979 from T. W. Edminster, Deputy Director for Research at the USDA Science and Education Administration, soliciting friends of Dr. Bill Raney to send tributes on the occasion of his retirementa A H ^/ A/ 11 January 1980 7r. William A. Raney Dear Bill: If my memory serves me correctly, you were a Grad Student in agronomy at .Ames before 7. B. took over in soil physics. I would not wish to elbow in on his claim to fame as your teacher but at least I can claim you as one of my grandstudents. 1 congratulate you on your distinguished career* It has always been a pleasure to pinch off a few min­utes together with you at meetings to sample your enthusiasm and to catch up with your activities. 1 have long been aware of the pull "and push" toward your returning to Mississippi. Tour cheerful spirit, your ever willing support of trie work of U#S.D.A. {and especially your monthly bulletin) will be widely missed, but I am sympathetic to your decision lou may recall that I took early retirement * to work on my hobbies - and have never regretted. Zilla joins me in wishing you and your family many happy days in your homeland, Mississippi. Sincerely, Lorenzo A. Richards UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SCIENCE AND EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250 December 17, 1979 SUBJECT: Retirement - W. A. (Bill) Paney TO: Friends Dr. W. A. (Bill) Raney will be retiring on February 21, 1980, After 25 years with USDA Bill is looking forward to returning to his native State of Mississippi and has taken to displaying a map of the sovereign State of Mississippi in tie middle of his desk! Bill's career with the Department began in April 1954 at State College MS, in Soil Physics Investigations. In June 1956, he was transferred to Seitsville and worked in Irrigation and Soil Physics, becoming Chief Soil Physicist in April 1961, a position he held until the reorganization in July 1972. Since that time he has been Staff Scien­tist, .Soil, Plant, and Atmosphere for the SWA staff of NTS. Dr. Paney has long been an "anchor" on the SWA staff and will be missed for his deci­siveness in the midst of turmoil. He has served as the principal catalyst in the achievement of scientific excellence for the soil, water, and environmental research program of AR. He has recruited and trained scientists; advised and guided adminis­trators, analyzed and coordinated National and international research programs, recog­nized and rewarded scientific and administrative excellence, improved scientific writing, and acted as a worldwide clearinghouse for, and disseminator of, new ideas. His "Research Philosophy" notes and "Soil Fhysics" correspondence faave proved to be very effective methods of technology transfer and served as the basis for coordinating and stimulating research In all of agricultural science through the world. Bill has been responsible for many outstanding accomplishments during his career; one vhlch will be sorely missed is his ability to inspire in others the will to achieve excellence while instilling in the minds of scientists that research is not completed until it is in the hands of the user. Throughout his career be ne/er lost sight of the needs and concerns of individual research scientists and how he could help them grow profession­ally. We will all miss his enthusiasm and candidness in dealing with eaih and e/ery aspect of SWA National programs. We are planning a luncheon for Bill on February 15 at the Golden Bull Restaurant (9107 Ri^s Poad, Adelphi, WD) beginning at 11:30 a.m. Luncheon will te served at 12 noon, Please make your luncheon selection on the enclosed form and return it to Sara Jean Binder or Joan Miller by February 1. We would like to give Bill a remembrance of his USDA days. Therefore, we are planning to present him with an appropriate gift and a book of letters. If you wish to write a letter and/or make a contribution for a gift, please include them when you return the form. We hope you can join us in paying tribute to Bill for the unique role that he has played in agricultural research and wishing him and Jane health and happiness In their retirement. Deputy Director, A