Robert McClester - 2003
MHS 1931 Graduate
Robert S. McClester, Class of 1931, was nominated by Maxine K. Keenan, also a member of the Class of 1931. She said that her fellow classmates are pleased that she submitted his nomination to the Minerva High School Alumni Hall of Fame.
"I was always interested in Agriculture," stated Robert McClester, "and that has made a difference in my life." He was ready for high school at age 13, having skipped the eighth grade at his one-room school. When he learned that Augusta High School did not offer Vocational Agriculture, he decided to attend Minerva High School where he enrolled in the agriculture program under O. D. Barker. This decision made it necessary to ride to school with another student who had a car. At that time, in 1927, not one school bus transported students to Minerva Schools. By 1929, he had a car but the roads were so bad he usually left it at a neighbor’s whose road was paved. He hiked the two miles to his car before the nine-mile drive to Minerva. Having his own car enabled him to engage in sports.
In high school he lettered in track and football, playing every minute of every football game his senior year, he served as both President and Vice President of the Class of 1931, was active in Hi-Y, yearbook staff and Future Farmers of America. He was valedictorian of his graduating class.
Robert never forgot his MHS roots and served as chairman for several class reunions. In 2001, ten class members were present for their 70th anniversary class reunion, which was organized by the McClesters.
Robert was awarded a scholarship to the Ohio State University College of Agriculture. This was at the time of the Great Depression and additional funds for college seemed remote, but Robert met the requirements of the scholarship program. During his college career, he worked at many jobs to help meet expenses. Among other occupations he summarized farm account books for the Department of Rural Sociology. At Ohio State he was active in Grange, achieving the 7th degree, the University 4-H Club, and was elected to Alpha Zeta an agriculture honorary fraternity. He supports his alma mater and is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.
In 1983 Robert retired from the United States Department of Agriculture. Over the years he worked in several agencies: The Farm Security Administration, Farmer's Home Administration, the Soil and Water Conservation District, the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service, and taught agriculture to returning veterans of World War II. In 1943 he moved to Kenwood Farms, the family farm since 1920, where he initiated many innovative ideas such as strip farming, spring development, no-till corn and pond development.
Over the years the McClesters have been very active in the community. In 2000, they were the first family in Ohio to donate the development rights of their farm to the State of Ohio, ensuring that the land will remain a productive farm for the future.
Robert was a long time Sunday school teacher for the adult class and served as Chairman of the Board for Herrington Bethel United Methodist Church. After retirement, he went on thirteen work crusades with World Gospel Missions. Countries he worked in included Honduras, Chile, Kenya, Spain, Tanzania, Barbados, Argentina, Bolivia, Japan, Hungary, and Russia.
He was twice named "Goodyear Farmer of the Year." He has served as board member and president of the Carroll County Farm Bureau, Carroll County District Library and the Carroll County Board of Health. For the past nine years, the McClesters have hosted Country Living Field Day sponsored by the OSU Extension. About 5,000 people attended the 2002 event.
Robert and his wife Bernice, who taught Home Economics at Minerva High School for twenty years, celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary January 1, 2003. The McClesters have four children: Jean Swartz, Reid, Scott, and Neil.