Former U.S. agriculture secretary
Earl L. Butz was remembered as a great teacher and devoted
grandfather during a funeral service yesterday.
Lafayette's Journal & Courier reports that a crowd of about 150
family, friends and Purdue University officials filled the
Federated Church in West Lafayette for Butz. He died February 2nd
at age 98.
The outspoken Butz was named secretary of agriculture by
President Nixon in 1971 but was forced from office in 1976 for
making a racist joke. He also served as a longtime Purdue
University agriculture dean.
Six grandchildren helped eulogize Butz. One of them, Michael,
recalled that his grandfather was a teacher more than anything.
Former assistant Don Brock said Butz was a "rock star" to
American farmers.