CORVALLIS - Carl Stoltenberg, dean emeritus of the College of Forestry at Oregon State University and a leader for more than 20 years in the development of modern forestry education and management in the Pacific Northwest, died Dec. 12 in Tucson, Ariz., after an extended illness. He was 77.

Stoltenberg became a dean at OSU in 1967 and helped build the College of Forestry into one of the leading forestry education programs in the United States. An expert in forest economics, Stoltenberg received his bachelor's and master's degrees in forestry from the University of California at Berkeley, and his doctorate in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota. He retired from OSU in 1989.

"Carl Stoltenberg was one of the giants in American forestry," said George Brown, dean emeritus of the college and Stoltenberg's successor. "During his 22-year tenure as dean of the College of Forestry, he brought our college from a good program to one of the premier, top-tier forestry schools in the nation. His contributions to forestry education, research and policy are immense."

Two memorial services are planned for Stoltenberg. On Jan. 7, there will be a service at 10 a.m. at Vista de la Montana in Tucson. On Saturday, Jan.19, at 2 p.m., there will be a service in Corvallis at the First United Methodist Church, 1165 N.W. Monroe St.

Before coming to OSU, Stoltenberg had been head of the Department of Forestry at Iowa State University, taught and did research at other universities, spent several years as a research economist for the U.S. Forest Service, and was chief of the Division of Forest Economics for the Northeast forest Experiment Station.

Stoltenberg served on numerous state and national boards for forestry and natural resources. He was a member of several professional organizations, including the Society of American Foresters, and was elected president of that organization in 1988. He served on the Oregon Board of Forestry for 20 years and as chairman for nine years, the longest tenure of any chairperson. During that time he led the board's adoption of rules for the first forest practices act in the nation that dealt with protection of soil and water resources. Stoltenberg was awarded the Gifford Pinchot Medal for outstanding Contribution to North American Forestry in 1993.

As a forestry scientist and researcher, Stoltenberg authored numerous professional publications on forest economics, policy issues, forest management, multiple use forestry, resolution of forest use conflicts, continuing education needs in forestry, and many other topics.

At OSU, Stoltenberg directed educational, research and Extension programs in the College of Forestry during a time of continuous improvement of forest management techniques; social, legal and political controversies; and changing societal demands relating to forest management. Research in the college helped form the basis for many modern forestry practices and lead the way towards the newest concepts of forest ecosystem management.

"Dean Stoltenberg brought high integrity and professional class to the College of Forestry," said Hal Salwasser, the present dean of the college. "We are forever grateful for the high standards of leadership he set. Plus, he was a genuinely good person."

The college under Stoltenberg's leadership doubled in size and evolved into one of the largest forestry research and educational centers in the nation. It now enrolls more than 475 students in undergraduate and graduate programs of forest science, management, engineering, and resources. It also directs extensive programs in forestry Extension, extended education, public outreach, research, international programs, and manages 11,000 acres in the McDonald and Dunn Forests near Corvallis for research and student education.

Stoltenberg is survived by his wife, Rosemary; seven children; 24 grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Source: 

George Brown, 541-737-8561

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