Charles Schwab retired Oct. 16 as a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University after serving 30 years. Schwab also served as the ISU Extension and Outreach safety specialist for the state of Iowa.

Since his arrival to campus in 1990, Schwab has served on committees, boards and teams that promote injury prevention and foster emergency preparedness. His classroom teachings and research echo a need to make agriculture safer for all farmers.

Known as “Chuck” to farmers and others in Iowa agriculture, Schwab earned his Ph.D. in ag engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1989, and says ISU was the first university to offer him a tenure-track position. But it wasn’t just the offer that drew him to Iowa.

“Agriculture is a big part of this state and that connects well with the position of farm safety specialist. This is the ‘birthplace’ of Extension, and the philosophy of Extension matches my personal belief of sharing information and helping people,” Schwab says.

He says one of the faculty members he met during his interview was from ISU’s entomology department: current ISU President Wendy Wintersteen.

His work made a difference

In his Extension work, Schwab provided leadership for Safe Farm, ISU’s Extension program that helps make Iowa farms a safer place to work and live. This ties in nicely with his research. The most recent project included exploring the phenomenon that influences the extraction forces for victims entrapped in grain. His other research includes efforts in the injury and fatality identification and analysis, and safety education and intervention methods.

“Through his Extension programming on farm safety, Chuck impacted many Iowans in a positive way,” says Jay Harmon, associate dean for Extension programs and director of Ag and Natural Resources Extension in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “It’s always difficult to say how many deaths or injuries might have been avoided through his tireless work, but I dare say he definitely made a difference.”

Schwab says his favorite memory at ISU was sitting in the ISU provost’s conference room with an external accreditation visit team chairman. That person shared the preliminary finding of a “pass” with Schwab and expressed his positive impression about the high quality of ISU’s Ag and Biosystems Engineering Department. The ABE department is continually ranked high in the nation every year by U.S. News and World Report. The graduate program is ranked No. 1, and the undergraduate program is ranked No. 2, currently.

Dedicated to safety, health

During his time at ISU, Schwab was an active member of the American Society of Ag and Biosystem Engineers, the International Society for Safety and Ag Health, and other organizations focused on ag safety. He received notable awards, such as the Superior Paper Award from ASABE in 2019, and an ISU Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension or Professional Practices, and a Meritorious Service Award from ISU Extension, among others.

“Dr. Schwab has left a tremendous legacy in the area of agricultural health and safety at ISU. His impacts will continue even after his retirement for many years to come,” says Steve Mickelson, ABE department chair and Charles R. and Jane F. Olsen professor. “He has been an excellent colleague and friend for the 30 years he has been at ISU. I wish him all the best in his new adventure.”

Schwab’s advice to students is simple: “Come to class prepared, and study hard, but participate in the other aspects of college life by getting involved.”

During retirement, Schwab says he won’t be doing reports. But he will tend to his backyard garden, play golf for his health and explore his passion for antique clocks by fixing them. For information about ISU Extension’s Safe Farm program, visit the ABE homepage.

Perkins is a communications specialist for the ISU College of Engineering.

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