Professor Robert Rust, now an emeritus professor at Iowa State, has been an innovating extension meat specialist. He created technology short courses that were the first university classes offered to the meat processing industry at a time when there was much scientific work but no interface with the industry. These became the longest-running series of meat short courses in the US. He is internationally recognized as a leading authority in meat processing and has contributed to the advancement of meat science through teaching, extension, research, and service. He is credited with fostering much of the progress of the U.S. meat processing industry. A member of the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, he has served as a consultant to meat processors and been part of educational programs in the United States and more than 30 other countries.

With receiving the R.C. Pollock Award in 2013, Rust became the most decorated AMSA member in history, having been awarded all its major honors.

Continuing the Legacy

A fundraising drive for establishing a mentor recognition in the name of Robert Rust was started in September 2014. The funds raised from the mentor recognition will be used to support scholarships for students with an interest in processed meats.