Dr. John B. Claar, 94, of Vero Beach passed away Oct. 5, 2016.
Claar was born in Watson, Ill., on Aug. 9, 1922, the son of Harry B. and Olive Claar.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and served in the Weather Corps. He attended Blackburn College and received his B.S., M.S. and PhD from the University of Illinois.
Most of his career was spent at the University of Illinois, where he served as Director of the Cooperative Extension Service, Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture, and Associate Vice-President for Public Service. He held the rank of full professor. Dr. Claar also spent five years in Washington, D.C. with the Department of Agriculture.
After retirement he directed an international program and worked in more than twenty developing countries, including Africa, India, and Pakistan. During the Reagan administration, he served as Deputy Director of a Presidential mission to Egypt.
Dr. Claar was a member of several professional organizations and received many honors including being elected to the Continuing Education Hall of Fame. He was also listed in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World.” He was a member of the Vero Beach Exchange Club and the Community Church, where he served as deacon and chairperson of the Long Range Planning Committee.
The ashes will be interred in the Community Church Memorial Garden in the presence of family members. Those wishing to honor his memory are invited to make a gift to the Exchange Club of Vero Beach Scholarship Foundation Trust, P.O. Box 1982, Vero Beach 32961.