EGG-NEWS regrets to record the sad passing of Blair J. Van Zetten an industry stalwart who passed on Monday, January 18th in Scottsdale, AZ.  Blair was born in Oskaloosa, IA and graduated from Upper Iowa University with a Baccalaureate degree in business.  He assumed the presidency of Oskaloosa Food Products in mid-1975, a company founded by his late father, John.

Blair was an active participant in the industry having served the American Egg Board, the United Egg Association, the United Egg Producers and the Farmers and Ranchers Alliances.  He was a founding member of the Iowa State University Egg Industry Center and served as the Chair from 2008 through 2011.

Recognition of his contributions during his productive career included the ISU Alumni Association Award, the Urner Barry Egg Person of the Year in 2016 and induction into the Iowa Poultry Association Hall of Fame in 2019.  He served many community associations including the Oskaloosa Chamber of Commerce, the Oskaloosa Community Development Board and was a past-Chair of the TruBank Board of Directors and was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church. 

A funeral service will be held at 10h30 January 26th at the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa.

EGG-NEWS joins the industry in extending condolences to his widow Wendy and sons Jason, Brandon and Travis and his sister Cheryl Van Zetten. 

He will be sadly missed.