Darwin “Dar” Britzman, who was selected as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1994, died June 30, 2023, at Roseville, Minnesota.
Britzman, 92, of Sioux Falls, distinguished himself in the field of animal nutrition and was an executive with Grain Terminal Association’s feed division as well as an international consultant on behalf of several U.S. commodity groups. Britzman earned degrees in poultry husbandry (bachelor’s, 1953) and animal nutrition (doctorate, 1964).
His interest in poultry dated back to his youth, when he worked at a poultry hatchery in his hometown of Watertown.
He then attended State, where he served as president and vice president of the Poultry Science Club, was a member of the poultry judging team and was publicity director of the National Poultry Science Club.
After graduation, he managed Sunshine Hatchery in Brookings for two years and spent another two years working in technical sales with McCabe Bros. Feeds. He then left for the University of Minnesota to pursue a master’s degree in poultry nutrition, which he obtained in 1961. Britzman served as a graduate assistant at SDSU from 1961 to 1963 while pursuing his doctorate.
He worked for Swift and Company from 1963 to 1965 before beginning a 32-year career with the GTA Feeds division of Harvest States Cooperative (now CHS).
He served as director of nutrition research and general manager as well as vice president. He oversaw the company’s experimental farms west of Sioux Falls, which dealt with bovine, swine and poultry nutrition, and directed feed mills in several states.
Britzman’s work on behalf of commodity groups took him throughout the United States and to 23 countries. He served as the executive director of the South Dakota Poultry Industries Association for 12 years and was on its board for more than 30 years.
He also served as chair of the Sioux Empire Fair and was on the board of the Sioux Falls Farm Show.
He was an adjunct professor in the SDSU Department of Animal Science and was president of the SDSU Alumni Association and was a trustee of the SDSU Foundation.
Outside interests included hunting, fishing, traveling and attending his grandchildren’s activities.
Britzman is survived by a daughter, Shari (Jeff ’75/M.S. ’78) Platek; two sons, Steve (Lyndy) and Mark ’82/M.S. ’84 (Rhonda ’80/M.S. ’82); seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a sister, Darlis (Merlin) Bunde.
He was preceded by his wife of 69 years, JoAnn, who died in July 2022.
