08/26/2026
It was a full house last Friday as we celebrated the retirement of one of our department's most distinguished faculty members, Dr. Bob Thaler! ๐
Dr. Thaler's Jackrabbit journey started as a student, earning his bachelor's degree from SDSU in 1982 and his master's in 1984. After completing his Ph.D. at Kansas State University, he returned in 1988 as an SDSU Extension swine specialist, kicking off an incredible 38-year career impacting the swine industry. He retires as the Farm Credit Services of America Endowed Chair in Swine Production, Distinguished Professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist๐ท
Along the way, Dr. Thaler played a key role in securing funding for the Swine Education and Research Facility and its recent expansion, shaping hands-on learning for generations of students. He also had a passion for international travel, leading study abroad trips since 2012 that gave countless students life-changing experiences.
Thank you, Dr. Thaler, for many years of service and for the lasting impact you've made on producers, students and colleagues alike. Congratulations on your retirement! ๐