SCHELKOPF BIOGRAPHY
Russell Schelkopf was a local veterinarian, entrepreneur, community leader, conservationist and life-long hunter. In 2004, Schelkopf donated his priceless collection of preserved mounts to the City of Sycamore. His collection was the seed that sprouted the Midwest Museum of Natural History.

Russell Schelkopf was born on June 30, 1930, the third of eight children of Isaac and Lena Schelkopf. They were a farm family living on 80 acres near Shickely, Nebraska. Shickley was a typical town of that generation with a grocery store, machine shop, school, church, and a general store that supplied some emergency and daily needs. Typical of the times, they raised their food, animals for meat, vegetables from the garden and milk from their cows. Many days were spent hunting pheasant and rabbits for dinner, thus Russ's love for hunting began.

Russ attended School District 93, about a mile from his house. When he first started school at the age of four, they walked to and from school. Later they were able to ride their ponies and weather wasn't quite such a challenge. Russ graduated from Geneva High School, Geneva, Nebraska, in 1947.

Russell really wanted to farm after high school, but because his father felt school came easy for Russ and believed that education was imperative, Isaac Schelkopf encouraged Russ' post high school education. Russ attended Nebraska Wesleyan, Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1947 and 1948. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. in Agriculture in 1952 and received a Master of Science in 1954. He continued his studies at Iowa State University, obtaining a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1958 and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Veterinary Physiology in 1958.

While completing his education, Russ was involved in myriad programs and received several honors. Some of these include:

  1. University of Nebraska, Fraternity of Alpha Zeta, 1950
  2. Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, 1950-51
  3. High man--Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest, 34 universities with 170 participants, Chicago, IL, 1951
  4. High man--American Royal Intercollegiate Wool Judging Contest, Kansas City, MO, 1951
  5. Gamma Sigma Delta, honor society of Agriculture, University of Nebraska, 1952
  6. Nebraska chapter of Sigma Xi for Promotion of Research in Science, 1954
  7. 4-year National Science Foundation Fellowship, 1954
  8. Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Iowa State University, 1957
  9. Society of Phi Zeta, 1958
  10. Graduate Valedictorian in Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 1958
  11. Member of Illinois Veterinary Medical Assn. and American Veterinary Medical Assn., 1961 to date

Russell was involved in and/or owned many business ventures in his career. While attending the University of Nebraska he was a livestock judge at Nebraska District Dairy Shows and County Fairs from 1952-53. He continued to judge at fairs and shows in the State of Iowa in 1954. Russ was employed at Hall Veterinary Clinic in Elburn, Illinois, 1958-59. He was self employed at Schelkopf Veterinary Clinic, Sycamore, IL, from 1959-1979 and subsequently began operation of Bethany Animal Hospital, Sycamore. The clinic is currently operated by two of his sons. He built and operated a Swine Specific Pathogen Free laboratory from 1961-65.

Russ served as CEO and on the Board of Directors of Cornhusker Cattle Company, which imported exotic breeding cattle from Europe, bred cattle and sold to producers in the U.S. from 1971-1988. He was on the board of directors of Cornhusker Agriculture Assn., Shickley, Nebraska, which operated and sold breeding swine from 1965-1988. He served on the board of directors of Mayfield Farms, Inc. and NIPCO Farms, Inc., swine production farms from 1987-1999.

Russ built and continues to operate several companies. Included are Illini Swine, Illini Farms and Illini Hi-Tech, which sell breeding swine to commercial producers in the United States. International Genetics imports breeding stock from European countries and sells swine semen throughout the Midwest. Russ also owns and operates Wildlife Acres, Mineral Point, Wisconsin, which consists of a 400-head elk production farm and a 2,500-head pheasant facility. In addition to the elk and pheasant, he owns Timberidge Angus Ranch, a 400-head cow-calf facility, also located in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.

The passion that Russ had for hunting started at a very young age and continues today. This passion inspired him to travel around the world. His father taught him the principles of fair chase and that safety is first and foremost. Russ adhered to the principle that hunters must conduct themselves ethically and responsibly to ensure the preservation of wildlife for generations to come. Additionally, he believed that as we develop our awareness and concern for the environment, we must be sensitive to and respect the feelings of those who choose not to hunt.

Dr. Russell Schelkopf passed away in March, 2011, leaving behind a remarkable legacy for his family and his community.

Printer Friendly Version