by Dan Rieder
A prominent Texas cattleman who was among the earliest in the US to utilize Simmental genetics, Tom Risinger, has passed away at age 84. He had been among the leaders of the breed in the US following a 1965 chance meeting with Canadian Simmental legend Travers Smith, who led the effort to establish the Swiss breed in North America.
Tom Risinger
A prominent Texas cattleman who was among the earliest in the US to utilize Simmental genetics, Tom Risinger, has passed away at age 84. He had been among the leaders of the breed in the US following a 1965 chance meeting with Canadian Simmental legend Travers Smith, who led the effort to establish the Swiss breed in North America.
In addition to their Texas holdings, he and his devoted wife, Dianne, had also founded a Simmental ranch near Cody, Wyoming. Risinger, born in Woodville, grew up in Wharton, Texas. He earned his college education at the University of Texas on a rodeo scholarship and joined the Sigma Nu fraternity. Risinger married Dianne Wood in 1961, and that union resulted in a lifetime of hard work, dedication, and devotion to each other and to their land and cattle herd.
“From the beginning through much of my career, Tom and Dianne were very active members — ‘good ol’ number 5.’ There were very few ASA members in earlier years who didn’t know or hadn’t heard of Tom Risinger. He loved Simmental and he loved talking about Simmental. I will always remember and be grateful for the unflinching support he gave ASA staff.” Steve McGuire
Risinger was heavily involved in establishing the ASA, serving on the founding Board of Trustees, and came back in the 1990s to serve a second four-year term. He proudly held ASA membership number “Old Number 5,” which was effectively used in promotional efforts.
His opinions and expertise were widely respected, not only in the US and Canada, but by producers worldwide. His foreign travels included Japan, West Africa, Canada, Great Britain, and Central and South American countries.
In retirement, the Risingers used a pickup and a fifthwheel to see much of the US and Canada, with additional experience in Alaska. Risinger is survived by his wife, Dianne; two daughters, Tracy Smith and Whitney Swanner; grandchildren Tommy and Phoenix Swanner; and sister, Mary Ella Anderson.
“Tom was certainly one of the most influential individuals in the history of our breed. I had the good fortune of getting to know Tom and Dianne, as they would stop by the office with their camper on their seasonal migratory route. I always looked forward to those visits.” Dr. Wade Shafer